ECOSF and AIOU agreed to strengthen joint collaboration in STI
Go Back
The Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood visited the Secretariat of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) on June 7, 2023. He was cordially greeted by President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Seyed Komail Tayebi on his maiden visit to ECOSF. The VC AIOU was accompanied by Dr. Irshad Ahmed, Dean Faculty of Sciences, AIOU.
During the meeting, both sides discussed areas of joint collaboration to achieve shared goals of the two organizations. The Vice Chancellor AIOU briefed about the University and said that was established in May, 1974, with the main objectives of providing educational opportunities to masses and to those who cannot leave their homes and jobs. Prof. Mehmood also shared that the University is one of the biggest University of Pakistan with presence of 54 regional centers all over the country. As per United National’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No.1, AIOU is at 25th Number all over the World, the VC added. He also highlighted main programmes and initiatives of the University.
Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi appreciated the role of AIOU for provision higher education to the people of Pakistan. He further introduced ECOSF by highlighting its establishment in December 2011 with the aims and objectives to promote science, technology and innovation-based activities leading to the economic development in ECO region. He also shared that since start of formal functioning in June 2012, the Foundation has been contributing in STEM education through Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) methodology, climate change education, STI policy, engineering qualification standardization, science diplomacy, developing collaboration with regional and international organizations, facilitating networking/collaboration between the scientific organizations/institutes of ECO countries, etc. in ECO region.
President ECOSF offered AIOU to develop long term collaboration in E-learning, STEM education through IBSE, Climate Change, Development of Mathematics House at AIOU, etc. He also shared that ECOSF is going to organize Technology and Trade Exhibition and Conference (TTEC) in February 2024, in Islamabad. TTEC would essentially provide a platform for universities, businesses, technology companies, organizations from the Member Countries to showcase their latest scientific knowledge, technologies, products, and services to network and to learn from each other with a grand vision to promote and strengthen cooperation in important areas of Science and Technology (S&T). Taking the opportunity, President ECOSF also invited AIOU University to join as collaborator.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Mahmood thanked ECOSF for inviting to AIOU to join in the important regional programmes of the Foundation and committed the maximum possibility for joining in various programs of ECOSF. He also invited ECOSF to participate in different initiatives of AIOU. To formalize the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was proposed to be signed between both the organization.