ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Plan International and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) for the customization and development of non-formal middle/elementary educational programs for drop-out girls.
The programme include development of accelerated curriculum for elementary level, training manuals for teachers, assessment system and teaching and learning materials, a press release said on Sunday.
Chiho Ohashi, chief adviser JICA-AQAL and Nadia Noor, Acting Country Director, Plan International, Pakistan inked the document, while the AIOU was represented by the Registrar Dr Muhammad Zaigham Qadeer.
Dean Education Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood, Dean Science, Prof Dr Syed Zafar Ilyas and Dr Tanzeela, Director, Bureau of University Extension and Special Projects were also present on the occasion.
Vice Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui who was presided over the signing event hoped such cooperation will help the AIOU in strengthening the primary and middle level accelerated program in various parts of the country.
AIOU, he said is providing enhanced educational facilities to marginalized sections of society free of cost, These four sections of society including prisoners, visually impaired persons, drops-out girls and transgender community.
The Vice-Chancellor said to educate girls who were pulled out of school for various reasons, the University has launched middle level programs in Chakwal, Nankana Sahib, Kharian and Thatta."Under this programme, 400 girls in Thatta cleared grade-8 examinations and 377 among them proceeded on to take the matriculation exams.
Recently the University has enhanced its collaborative partnership with various national and internationals organizations to achieve its stipulated future targets in the educational sectors, the VC added.
As per the MoU, AIOU will provide and be responsible for the overall coordination among the parties, the varsity will also provide space for the workshops and meetings. The university will get approval of developed/customized materials from the relevant authorities. The university will help in cost effective printing of the teaching and learning materials through its printing press.
According to LoU, the copy rights of the developed materials will stay with AIOU. JICA will provide technical support for the development and customization of accelerated curriculum for elementary level, training manuals for teachers, assessment system and teaching and learning materials whereas Plan International will contribute financially.
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