Islamabad:Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) would start PhD classes in Computer Sciences and Information Technology from the next year.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir A Sangi told ‘The News’ that the first batch of PhD in Computer Sciences would be enrolled in January 2011. “We are in contact with some reputed foreign universities for their technical support to start the programme,” he said.

Dr Sangi who is also PhD holder from Liverpool University of UK in the same field, said the computer and information technology programme at AIOU has been brought at par with international standard in recent years. “The university has revised its computer sciences curriculum by upgrading 3-year BS programme to 4-year bringing it to the international level,” he said.

Dr Nazir Sangi was at helm of affairs of computer sciences faculty of the university before taking over as vice chancellor of AIOU. He had received IT Excellence Award 2005, Best University Teacher by Higher Education Commission in 2008 besides various other achievements.

He said that in order to strengthen the AIOU, the government had approved a grant of Rs390 million which also include Rs47.5 for training of teaching faculty which also include training in teaching skills, ICT support system and instructional design. The grant would also be spent on AIOU television channel, satellite, e-learning labs at 36 regions of the university.

Dr Nazir said that in order to further improve standard of the university, he had also introduced tests instead of assignments and credit hours for all the programmes.

Similarly, he said that computer networking at all offices and faculties had been completed and for this purpose, over 300 computers have been installed. He said all the 36 regional offices of the university would be turned into women friendly campuses to provide womenfolk an atmosphere where they could perform their duties with satisfaction and play their due in the education sector.The news