Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has introduced the English Access Scholarship Programme aimed at empowering students and promoting women’s education across Pakistan. The program was officially inaugurated in a ceremony where Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed underscored the government’s commitment to advancing education for women, noting their crucial role in society.
Addressing attendees, Dr Ahmed stated, “The education and training of women is a key mission for the HEC, as women form a vital part of our society.” He pointed out that female enrolment in Pakistan’s universities has reached 52 per cent, and ongoing efforts aim to raise this figure further.
Focus on Language and Opportunity
AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nasir Mahmood reiterated the importance of education as the cornerstone for national development. “Without education, no nation has a future,” he said, urging students to focus on their studies to secure a brighter tomorrow.
Dr Mahmood expressed gratitude to the US Embassy and AIOU’s English Department for their support in enhancing English language education for Pakistani youth, emphasizing that English proficiency would unlock higher education and career opportunities worldwide.
Gerald Frank, Regional English Language Officer at the US Embassy, highlighted Pakistan’s unique achievement as the only country among 80 nations where 27,000 students have benefitted from the scholarship.
He acknowledged AIOU’s efforts to enroll 250 new students from Mianwali, Bhakkar, and Attock under the program. Frank underscored the initiative’s broader aims, which include fostering critical thinking, digital literacy, and cross-cultural understanding.
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Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dean of AIOU’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, advised students to dedicate themselves to mastering English, describing it as the “language of international communication.” The event also featured traditional dance performances by students from the three districts, who shared their experiences in the English Access Program.
Program coordinators Dr Muhammad Kamal Khan and Dr Amjad Khan highlighted the scholarship’s role in preparing students for the global stage by equipping them with essential skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
