ISLAMABAD: More than 1,000 jail inmates were enrolled at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for upgradation of their qualification to have a respectable life in the society after completing their imprisonment. This was stated by AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui while presiding over a meeting that reviewed the AIOU’s educational facilities being extended to disadvantaged groups. Recently, the university had improved its existing facilities in jails throughout the country providing free education to prisoners, as part of its endeavour for taking good care of the marginalised sections of the society. The free education is available to prisoners from matriculation to BA level. “The process of taking admissions has been simplified. Prospectus and others allied material were sent to jail authorities free of cost, enabling prisoners to join the varsity for carrying out their future education.” The VC said other aspiring prisoners could take admission in the coming semester, spring 2018 that begins from first week of next month. The university has worked out a detailed procedure for holding tutorial meetings, workshops and examination within jails’ premises. In the efforts of increasing enrollment rate among inmates in the wake of the university’s motivation campaign, Dr Shahid Siddiqui visited jails in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Rawalpindi in recent years and held discussion with jails’ authorities on the procedural issues. He also wrote letters to inspectors general (Prisons) of the four provinces seeking their support in implementing the proposed educational plan. He requested the IGs to circulate information to all jails of their provinces to motivate prisoners to get free education for the better future. Published in Daily Times, January 8th 2018.