ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) held a daylong workshop ‘On community radio for learning’ here on Monday, pledging to extend outreach of its FM-radio throughout Pakistan.
Initially, the AIOU will set up seven new radio FMs at four different locations at the regional headquarters to provide educational support to its 1.4 million students across the country.
The seminar was arranged by International collaboration and Exchange office and Institute of Educational Technology, AIOU in cooperation with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) New Delhi and Community Media Pakistan.
Vice Chnacellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while chairing the preliminary session of the workshop announced that the University will strengthen its media support for its students through enhanced FM Radio network. The media, he said has emerged as most powerful social institutions and the AIOU wishes to take full benefit of it.
Representative of CEMCA Dr. Ankuran Dutta took part in the seminar from New Delhi through video conferencing sharing his knowledge and experience on the role of community radio for educational development.
The seminar was also addressed by Dr. Syed Abdul Siraj, chairman department of Mass communication, Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Tarlpur, Director Institute of educational Technology, Masoodul Hasan, Executive Director Pakistan Community media network and Incharge, International collaboration and Exchange office, Dr. Zahid Majeed.
The Vice Chancellor in his address underlined the importance of radio broadcasting in educational pursuits and reformation of the society.
He said, the radio has been most fascinating role in providing information and entertainment to the people. Media, he said has surpassed all social and education institutions, because of it’s easy accessibility and effective approach for the masses
The AIOU he said has been using multi-media in a big way as a medium of instruction to improve literacy rate in the country. DNA