GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF THE ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY (1974-2024) JULY 23, 2024 (2024-6)

 

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is a Public Sector University of Pakistan with over 1 Million students on its roll and is the second largest Open University in Asia. The University is entrusted with the responsibility of imparting education to all the strata's of society and is operating in all the provinces of Pakistan.

AIOU is a prominent institution of distance education established in 1974. The university is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a renowned philosopher, poet, and politician who played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan, AIOU is the first open niversity in Asia and one of the largest distance learning institutions in the world.

AIOU aims to provide accessible and affordable education to a diverse population, catering to the needs of individuals who are unable to attend conventional brick-and-mortar institutions due to various reasons such as geographical constraints, work commitments, or financial limitations. The university has played a crucial rote in expanding educational opportunities across Pakistan and beyond.

One of the distinctive features of AIOU is its commitment to inclusive education. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees, as well as diplomas and certificates in various disciplines. The diverse academic offerings encompass fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business administration, and technical and vocational education.

AIOU operates on a semester system, providing flexibility for students to pursue their education

at their own pace. The university employs a comprehensive and innovative approach to distance learning. Incorporating printed course materials, multimedia resources, and online platforms to facilitate effective learning. The use of modern technology enables students to access study materials, submit assignments, and interact with instructors and fellow students from the comfort of their homes.

The university's commitment to reaching underserved population is evident in its extensive network of regional and sub-regional offices across Pakistan. These offices serve as support centers, offering assistance to students and facilitating the delivery of study materials. AIOU's reach extends beyond national borders, as it has attracted students from various countries, contributing to the internationalization of the institution.

Through the massive technological intervention and the integrated automated suites of

applications like CMS (Campus Management Solution), EPB (Enterprise Planning &Budgeting), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and LMS (Learning Management System) that has enabled the students to have an improved learning experience in addition to pursuing their academic activities at their choice of time and place, besides they can also refer back to the recorded lectures available in LMS and can benefit while being off-line also. The tutoring to the students of AIOU is being provided by the quality academicians from various institutions across Pakistan.

In addition to academic pursuits, AIOU is actively involved in community development initiatives. The university collaborates with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups to implement projects that address social issues, promote literacy, and enhance the quality of life for marginalized populations.

The commitment to lifelong learning is a key aspect of AIOU's philosophy, The university encourages continuous education and skill development by offering a variety of short-term courses, workshops, and training programs to meet the evolving needs of the workforce. For timely transmission and delivery of the study material and other important correspondence of the University to the enrolled students throughout country especially in far flung area, the role of Pakistan Post cannot be denied. Pakistan Post being a trusted partner has played a vital role not only in providing delivery service since the establishment of the University but also established a post office a complete Sorting Section and a complaint cell for full facilitation of the university and students. in the premises of the University.

AIOUis the largest university of Pakistan in terms of Students' enrollment and educational programmes. It is apprised that around 5 million students have graduated from the University since its enactment and are contributing to the development of motherland. The university in its Convocation recognize student achievements and confer upon them publicly the degrees. earned by them through dedication and hard work.

In conclusion, Allama Iqbal Open University stands as a beacon of accessible education, providing a platform for individuals to overcome barriers and pursue academic and professional goals. Its innovative approach to distance learning, commitment to inclusivity, and dedication. to research and community development contribute to its significance in the realm of education in Pakistan and beyond. As a trailblazer in open and distance learning, AIOU continues to play a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Design elements of Commemorative Postage Stamps and Souvenir Sheet.

These stamps are South Asia's first and Asia's second Artificial intelligence assisted postage stamps.

All stamps are set in turquoise color which symbolizes wisdom. The stamps shows dedicated students and the main campus of university,

* Souvenir Sheet encompasses all the previous issues of Pakistan Post to commemorate AIOU along with above four stamps. In the backdrop is the imposing building of Main Hall of AIOU at Islamabad campus.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, the Commemorative Postage Stamps Rs.30/-denomination (Set of 4) and a Souvenir Sheet with the Value of Rs.100/-are being issued by Pakistan Post on July 23rd, 2024.