Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), founded in 1974, provides educational opportunities to those unable to attend traditional schools due to work or home commitments. It pioneered distance education in Pakistan, offering access to women and remote areas. AIOU’s affordable programs cover professional, scientific, and technical fields. The concept of distance education, introduced in the UK in the 1960s, inspired AIOU, which became the second open university in the world. Distance education became especially vital in Pakistan due to poverty and the limited access to education, particularly for women. AIOU’s low-cost education and student assistance fund enable marginalized groups to pursue higher education.