ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has awarded three indexing agencies to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for providing free online access to research articles, facilitating researchers and academicians. The agencies will work in three disciplines, education, Pakistani languages and Islamic studies. This was stated by AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui while addressing a meeting of the university’s officers, arranged by Officers Welfare Association (OWA). This is the singular honour of this mega university, that it has achieved trust and confidence of the HEC that has also awarded them twelve research-based projects. Out of 17 research journals, published by the university during the last three and a half years, one related to education has recently achieved X-category status, whereas the other two got Y category. AIOU VC Dr Shahid Siddiqui said that they have focused on the development of AIOU as research-based university, getting itself actively engaged in constructing and disseminating knowledge in all disciplines. About the students’ enrollment, he said it was showing upward trends in the recent years. “We have already crossed the figure of 700,000 students in one semester,” he said. “They,” the vice chancellor further said, “are also laying greater focus on the development of human resources, enriching the university with trained staff. They have also strengthened their 44 regional offices, by providing them necessary staff and technical support.” There have been repaid promotion in the recent years as the university’s selection board and Departmental Promotion Committee met six and seven times respectively. Such number of meetings in a short-span of time is a record in the history of AIOU. This was per his dream and commitment with employees, giving them the best for their best work. Earlier, AWO President Mazhar Saeedi assured the VC their full support in further development of the university. He appreciated his outstanding contribution in reconstructing the university’s image and up-grading its academic ranking. Published in Daily Times, April 19th 2018.