AIOU Launches “English Access Scholarship” Program to Empower Students
— October 8, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) — Women’s education remains a key focus for the government, as they are a vital part of society, according to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), during the launch ceremony of the English Access Scholarship Program at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). He highlighted the HEC’s commitment to promoting education, noting that 52% of university enrolments in Pakistan are women, with continued efforts to raise this figure.
During the event, AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood emphasised that education is the cornerstone of development and prosperity, urging students to prioritise their studies for a brighter future. He expressed gratitude to the US Embassy and AIOU’s English Department for their support in teaching English, which he noted would open doors to higher education and job opportunities worldwide.
Gerald Frank, Regional English Language Officer at the US Embassy, shared that Pakistan leads among 80 countries in the English Access Scholarship Program, with over 27,000 students benefiting from the initiative. Thanks to AIOU’s efforts, 250 new students from Mianwali, Bhakkar, and Attock have joined the program, which equips students not only with English proficiency but also with skills in critical thinking, digital literacy, and cultural awareness.
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at AIOU, Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, underscored the importance of mastering English as a global language of communication, urging students to dedicate themselves fully to learning the language.