ISLAMABAD, July 7: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will launch a programme to overcome the shortage of PhD teachers in higher educational institutions.

This was stated by the AIOU vice-chancellor, Prof (Dr) Syed Altaf Hussain, while speaking at the inaugural function of MPhil (Economics) programme, which would commence for the first time through Distance Education System.

The AIOU vice-chancellor said the country was facing shortage of PhD teachers in the field of social sciences, especially in the subject of Economics.

In order to settle this situation and fulfil the needs of the country, a project “Direct PhD” has been initiated by the AIOU, he added.

Dr Hussain said the programme had been appreciated by renowned educationists of the world.

“The AIOU will not only provide an opportunity to interested teachers of different universities who want to do PhD in Social Sciences, but the honour of university will also be enhanced.”

On the occasion, the chairman of Economics department, Prof (Dr) Mohammad Ashraf, said no country could progress with enhancement of human resources. Economy also plays an important role in the development of the country, he added.