ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is aggressively pursuing legal action against fictitious website, launched by a private institution to fleece innocent people, by using its name.
The University has already formally approached the Cyber Crime Wing of FIA for a proper action against the unlawful and unethical act of the so-called institution which is damaging the repute of the University.
The Cyber Wing has informed the AIOU’s administration that the necessary inquiries are already in process to bring the culprit to book.
The FIA Cyber Crime Wing was approached as soon as the matter came into notice of the University’s authorities.
In order to get the people aware, the AIOU’s administration had also issued students’ alert through an advertisement in the national press apart from uploading the same on University’s website and face-book.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) also took serious notice of the matter by responding to so-called University (International All-Education Open University) that the AIOU is already serving the nation by offering distance education across the country. Therefore the name “Open University” comes in direct conflict with the already existing set up.
Moreover, the HEC in its letter added “The word “University” is meant for a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees and academic research is done. The HEC has asked the said institution to revise its name so that any disguise of information can be avoided in future.
The AIOU’s administration has received complaints from different corners including students that the owners of said web-site are reportedly charging money as consultancy in name of AIOU programs unlawfully many months before the announcement of actual admission of B.Ed. Program of AIOU.
The said Institution is misleading the students by claiming that it is authorized office of AIOU. The AIOU’s administration has reiterated that it will continue to proceed for legal course of action to expose such fake institutions and get stopped the functioning of the fictitious websites. DNA
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