Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) , Islamabad, will extend necessary academic support to the government for establishing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) schools through its 49 regional offices across the country.
This was announced by the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum while addressing the opening sessions of the 20th International Pure Math Conference held here. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Federal Minister for Science and Technology was the chief guest on the occasion, who expressed the government’s resolve to promote science education in the country through innovative approach,
The conference was arranged by the University’s department of Mathematics in collaboration with Pakistan Mathematical Society.
The Vice Chancellor said, the AIOU was already laying special focus on science education. Recently, it has launched Face-to-face academic programs in science education at the level of BSc and MSc.
The University’s was being run on open distance learning’s mode of education, but at the same time it had adopted formal system of education for giving boost to science education through its strong lab network across the country, he added.
While highlighting the policy of the government in popularizing science education, the Minister announced that the STEM schools would be established in all the districts of Pakistan.
While describing the roadmap for the implementation of the STEM project, the minister said that initially seven reputed universities of Pakistan would be included in the Project to impart STEM education to the students ranging from grade 6 to grade 10.
According to the Project, each university will be entrusted with the task of imparting STEM education to two schools. The Federal Minister said that the teaching staff of the selected university for the Project would be given incentives. He further said that the students of the universities participating in the Project would also be asked to be part of the STEM School Project.—INP
