Prof. Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University was the gues during the third weekly session “IBCC Live with Vice Chancellor” for counselling of Intermediate Students.

The session was hosted by Muhammad Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator IUCPSS while CEO/Secretary IBCC Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah also joined the program.

During the session, the Career Counseling and Guidance to the students, who are enrolled at the colleges and going to complete their intermediate level, Introduction of Universities and their Rankings, Disciplines offered by the Universities, Admission Criteria and Requirements, Scholarships and Opportunities, Hostels and other facilities, Career Counseling and Employability of University Graduates were discussed.

During the session, Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum briefed about the admission requirements, annual academic calendar and other facilities being offered to the students.

“Students are global citizens, they need to be equipped with necessary required skills and values of responsible citizenship, peace, tolerance, co-existence and critical thinking,” Prof. Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum said.

He apprised about various initiatives and reforms undertaken recently to transform AIOU‘s education through technology, innovation and establishing new regional centres especially in far-flung areas of Balochistan, Sindh and South Punjab.

He said currently AIOU have 54 regional centres working across Pakistan to facilitate students especially in far-flung areas and also offered the facilities, expertise and AIOU network to other Pakistan higher education institutions.

Being elected first President of Inter Islamic Network of Virtual Universities, Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum termed it a great honour for Pakistan and AIOU.

He said that maximum cooperation would be extended to higher education institutions among OIC member countries. He suggested that, in wake of COVID-19, there is a dire need to training the faculty in important areas of online teaching.

At the end of the session, he appreciated the joint efforts of IBCC and IUCPSS to initiate online weekly program i.e Live with Program and assured that AIOU ready to collaborate with IBCC and Inter university consortium for effective engagement of students and their career counselling. He stressed upon close liaison in this regard.