Allama Iqbal Open University

Allegedly the largest DL university in Asia. They say they'll allow admission to all Pakistani citizens and any non-Pakistani living in Pakistan. Maybe if you asked they reallyreally nicely they'd let you in too.

Allama Iqbal Open University

 

Sure -- if you live in Abu Dhabi, Qatar etc. Here's the list of allowable countries for overseas enrolment. We can forget it, I guess. www.aiou.edu.pk/OverseasStudents.asp

They have well over a million students and 950 examination centres - certainly none in our neck of the woods.

Johann

 

In addition - reading leads me to believe that only Pakistanis living/working in these countries (and their university-age children) need apply. To quote one of the professors (Dr. Siddiqi) the University operates "for the poor and non-privileged classes" on a "no profit, no loss" basis with fees about "one-third those of other universities in Pakistan."

One of the attractions of the school was said to be that it offered the chance for Pakistanis working overseas (and their children) to receive a higher education (complete with Urdu and Islamic studies if they so desire) without the expense of returning to Pakistan.

Not surprising they're not going to share this school (1 million+ students) with outsiders. Why would they?

Johann

 

What do you mean by "we" Johann?:rant: Degreeinfo has international, multiracial and cross-cultural membership.

 

Kizmet, thanks for the AIOU post. Its no doubt one of the largest DL universities in Asia. A Pakistani could earn a Bachelor for around 200$, Masters for around 500$ and PhD in 1000$. They are strict as compared to other universities in Pakistan, and give hard time to their students for award of degrees.

 

Kizmet and Johann, they do operate for Non-Pakistani students. I have seen many foreigners in their campus (5 min drive from my work place) and know a lot of Chinese, Philipinos and Middle East students appearing in their exam through International Centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They also arrange examination centres in the Pakistan High Commissions of various countries.

This all is just for info.

 

Sure DegreeInfo is inclusive, Kizmet! But you said "maybe if you asked really nice" -- and from reading, I didn't think AIOU would go for it. (I still have doubts about North Americans being able to enrol.) I said "we" meaning non-Pakistanis (North Americans in our case.) Neither you nor I are Pakistanis or of Pakistani descent are we? Nothing about the proverbial inclusivity of DegreeInfo at all.

Engadnan - thanks for your posting. Obviously, I was wrong..again. You are the 1,000,000th forum-poster to prove me wrong and for your prize, $15,000,000 has been deposited in a bank in Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian representative will contact you by e-mail and tell you how to make your $50,000 good-faith deposit and claim your prize

Johann

 

Here's an update article on how AIOU is expanding

Open courses: AIOU to adopt online learning system - The Express Tribune

 

This is a great resource for Pakistanis at home and abroad and perhaps others who are prepared to write exams in select countries, where many Pakistanis come to work. I still doubt the school would cater to North Americans in general - at least those still living here. From the website:

The University offers its educational programs only in the following countries:-
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Sultanate of Oman
• Bahrain
(Arrangements are being made to offer these programs in other countries also)
At present only General Education Programs of Higher Secondary School Certificate, BA level and Elementary Arabic are offered for the overseas Pakistanis. (Emphasis mine - J.)

I note that the new E-learning site is being developed in Urdu - the official language of Pakistan. That somewhat supports my theory --at least I think it does. This is not a criticism - I can think of no reason why a school developed by and (at least primarily) for people of one nation has any obligation to open its doors world-wide. If it wants to -fine. If it doesn't - and there could be any number of valid reasons, e.g. finite resources - that's perfectly OK, too.

J.

 

You are probably right but many changes occur incrementally.

 

update micro-story

Distance-learning: AIOU to introduce online progammes - The Express Tribune

 

new grad programs in Seerat Studies

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1712914/1-distance-learning-seerat-studies-offered-degree-course-aiou/

 

Well, here's the latest sample of a phrase you've used multiple times, Kizmet:

The most recent time (of several) you used this phrase was on May 12, 2018 here: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/which-is-your-favorite-topic-in-ias-preparation.52061/

When I said "we" I was referring to the overwhelming majority of users here, who are Americans or Canadians (=unarmed Americans with single-payer Health Care). Allama Iqbal University, for good and sufficient reasons of its own, clearly did not cater to the general population of North America.

Perhaps I should tell Allama Iqbal that Ancestry says my DNA is 1% South Asian.... maybe that would do it.

 

Jeez Steve, sooo dramatic! And a little out of context too. The quotation that Johann pulled was from a request about the IAS exam in India. You may know a thing or two about international education but I didn't notice you jumping up to help in that thread.

 

And that's OK, Steve. You know plenty about international stuff, you answer and comment on it frequently AND you also said "a few of us." Well, as you say, a few of us (including some guy named Johann, who's recently found out he's 1% South Asian and won't shut up about it) DO answer Indian and other offshore enquiries occasionally, as in this thread: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/what-is-the-eligibility-to-appear-for-iit-2018.51380/

Hey, how about that? It was from the same poster! Hi Raji! Sorry I can't answer on the IAS - don't have a "favourite" as I've never prepared for the exam. I do what I can... and so does Steve.

 

As I said then - it was your latest use of the "US-centric" phrase. That's why I quoted that specific example. Do you want (all) the previous instances? If so, it'll likely take a while, but I think I can do it...
You've probably gathered by now - I think Steve has made quite a compelling, salient point.

 

Southeast Asian or Southwest Asian? This is verrry important.

 

The term "South Asian" is correctly used. It refers to the Indian subcontinent and environs. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Asia and here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Asian_ethnic_groups

If I had DNA that was Southeast Asian - Ancestry would have said so. And I'd have been slightly more surprised - but just as proud. I don't consider racial/ ethnic differences as "verrry" important. We are all one.

 

Sure, why not. You seem to be really motivated around this so you might as well get it out of your system.