ISLAMABAD, April 14: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is investigating into the mismanagement of a Rs33 million Information Technology (IT) project, official sources told Dawn.

The project “Multimedia Electronic Courseware Design Centre” was given to the university to develop courseware in the field of IT for distance learners.

The time frame for the completion of the project was two years, starting from April 2001 in order to meet the objectives outlined in the national IT policy formulated by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

However, the project was revised and completion period was extended from 24 months to 38 months. But despite relaxation in the completion period, the project is yet to see the light of the day.

According to the original PC-I of the project, the university had to develop 10 master’s level, 20 bachelor level and 10 PGD level courses besides updating 25 bachelor level and 10 courses for general public.

However, in the revised PC-I there were two master’s level, four bachelor level and six PGD level courses with no change in the earmarked money.

There was another multimillion project called Information Technology Service Networking (ITSN) funded by the HEC to develop IT infrastructure on the campus, but it too nosedived without any output.

Reportedly, the audit officer of the university had pointed out that procurement procedures were not followed during the purchase of the hardware.

On the basis of this information, the vice-chancellor has constituted a committee to look into the issue. Dr Nazir Ahmad Sangi, Dean Faculty of Sciences, was the project director.

To hold an impartial inquiry into the mishandling of the project, which if completed would have benefited scores of IT students, the university has hired an IT expert to unearth what actually went wrong with the project.

Rumours are rife in the university that the newly-appointed vice-chancellor is determined to take a punitive action against those responsible and make it an example for the rest of the officials. The report will soon be submitted to the vice- chancellor.