ISLAMABAD: Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to motivate the youth, ‘Say no to Tobacco’ and to develop tobacco-smoke free Islamabad.
The MoU was signed by the University’s Registrar Dr Muhammad Naeem Qureshi and Dr Minhaj-us-Siraj on behalf of the CADD.
Speaking on the occasion as a chief guest, Parliamentary Secretary for CADD Maiza Hameed spoke about the government’s policy and endeavor to keep the nation away from the menace of smoking. She hoped the AIOU being the mega educational institution in the public sector will engage its students against tobacco that was leaving dangerous impact on the public health.
She called for regular interaction between the teachers and students on the issue, as a part of the awareness campaign. The AIOU’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui in his speech assured support of the University in curbing the menace of Smoking, particularly among the youth.
The AIOU’s Campus has already been declared smoking free area, and their forty-four regional offices will also be doing the same. Awareness about the public health-care including habit of non-smoking will be promoted through academic programmes while incorporating the anti-smoking message in their curriculum. Most of the University’s academic, social and cultural activities have already been linked with the society’s overall welfare.
A number of initiatives have been taken recently developing liaison between the University and the Society. The initiatives include enhancing educational facilities for prisoners, catering the educational needs of the drop-out girl students and setting up accessibility centers for visually impaired students, he added.
Under the MoU, CADD would facilitate the university providing necessary material for launching awareness campaign. Both sides would develop policy guidelines to ensure observance of Tobacco Control Laws and would also generate activities that help to develop ‘Tobacco-smoke free Islamabad’.
Similarly, the AIOU would initiate one credit hour course and develop curriculum for students on subject of tobacco control. Dr Minhaj-us-Siraj on the occasion gave detailed briefing to the faculty members and the staff on tobacco-smoking hazard. A representative of World Health Organization Shahzad Alam Khan was also present on the occasion.
Dean Faulty of Sciences Dr Naghmana Rashid also spoke on the occasion and said the AIOU would be on the forefront to increase awareness on hazardous impact of smoking. Dean social sciences Dr Samina Awan was also present on the occasion.
