Irregularities in Admissions Policy of Allama Iqbal Open University

I had applied for MPhil Mass Communication at Allama Iqbal Open University for the Fall 2021 Session where they encourage professionals from the social sector to apply. Unfortunately, I was denied admission. I asked the university to let me know the reasons that led to my exclusion, to make the admission policy available on their website and to share the final merit score with a breakdown the way University of the Punjab does. I also asked them why they didn't award me the points for my relevant 12 year communications experience in social sector, their response was:

"The 5% weightage was given to those applicants who are working as Teacher or Professional in some university, media organization or Government Department related to Media. Your work experience does not fall in these categories. Hence your work experience was not accepted by the Admission Committee."

However the above criteria is neither mentioned on their website, nor on their prospectus. The evaluation criteria is totally unavailable. Transparency about admissions policies, criteria and processes has the additional benefit of aiding self-selection by applicants. If applicants can see that they are unlikely to meet the criteria for a course, they may be less likely to apply for it. This may result in fewer ‘wasted choices’ on application forms and could help lower drop-out rates. Conversely, greater transparency might prevent other applicants from wrongly discounting themselves from particular courses. Unfortunately, the university is not inclined towards making their admission policies fair.

Moreover it's stated on the program's website, 'this program is in fact, mainly focused on to integrate mass communication education with social sector development initiatives.' Yet, they deny the experience of the only candidate who is a practitioner in mass communication, and uses it for development initiatives? That's a massive contradiction.

Neither, the university answer the seven questions I posted them, nor made the admissions policy and the full merit list (with final merit scores and breakdowns) available to me or to the public. I took the complaint on the Prime Minister Imran Khan's Citizen Portal. Higher Education Commission, Pakistan forwarded the complaint to Allama Iqbal Open University's Vice Chancellor Dr. Zia ul Qayyum Sb - who refused to reply to the questions raised, called them baseless allegations and didn't answer the seven questions I had put in front of him.

It's not about my admission at the university anymore, it's about social justice and equal access to higher education to all. If Allah SWT has written in my destiny to do Masters of Philosophy, then no power can undo that. But, till that time doesn't arrive, I am totally available to put my energies to make this irregular system of admissions more regular and transparent.

I haven't asked the Honorable VC to undertake million dollar reforms. All I have asked him to do is to make their admissions policy clear on the website and display their merit lists with final merit scores and breakdown of those scores. I fail to understand his hesitance in making the policies, evaluations and procedures more transparent.

There are more details to be shared on the issue and to explain the unprofessional attitude of the university's senior management, but for now I seek to take these issues to the higher authorities, parliamentarians and relevant standing committees. For this purpose, I NEED YOU ALL:

1) To connect me to to students who were victim of irregular admissions policy at public universities in Pakistan. I am also seeking to connect with those who took legal help and got their admissions through court orders. I need to do a key informant interview with them in order to research this phenomena further.

2) To connect me with relevant legal experts on the issue, Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Chairpersons of relevant Standing Committees at National Assembly of Pakistan and Senate of Pakistan.

Umar Farooq RA was once asked about an extra piece of cloth he had. Before Umar RA could explain Abdullah the son of Umar RA rose up and said, "Friends, the truth of the matter is that like every other person my father and myself obtained a piece of cloth each from the Baitul Mal. My father is so tall that the piece of cloth that he got from the Baitul Mal did not suffice him. So I gave him my piece of the cloth". his explanation satisfied every one. The young man who had interrupted the Caliph said, "We are satisfied. You can now proceed with your address. We will listen to you and, obey your commands."

By answering questions, by giving respect to the questioner, the leader [Umar RA] gave respect to the process of accountability, gave respect to public questioning, gained respect for himself, ensured accountability of all, and increased the trustworthiness of the whole system of social justice.

But, the Honorable Vice Chancellor of AIOU, who was the Vice Chancellor at University of Gujrat before and appreciated my assistance as a Speaker and Civil Society Organizer that made his team's project with British Council Pakistan successful called my questions 'allegations' and called it baseless. I have no personal vendetta against him, I rated him high. Unfortunately, either he has succumbed to the system or has become a part of it, Allah knows the best. My issue is with the system that denies equality and justice for all. A system that wants to remain unanswerable and unaccountable for its actions. Its unimaginable to witness that the university has no system of handling student affairs, grievances appeals and reviews.

I will do fine, not die of hunger and continue to learn without the aim of getting a mere piece of paper that declares I have 18 years of education. I am not afraid of the consequences. If I have to sacrifice my pursuit to higher education so that the admissions policy become fair and equal to all, I would love to make that sacrifice. This is nothing less than a great honor and privilege for me. And, believe me, I will make the most of it INSHALLAH.

I wanted to research about the phenomena of mass communications in the development sector, I have already done research on the impact of social media in our line of work and will soon publish articles in respected journals. I wanted to pursue that further through the MPhil program that was designed for especially for those working in the social sector.

But, the university and their attitude has motivated me to research on the irregularities that take place during admissions at public universities, find legal remedies and do research to build up a set of recommendations that can reform the law so that the Universities know that they are not unanswerable and unaccountable.

So that the universities know that they will face consequences for their actions.

May Allah SWT bless us all with the strength to deliver justice and to be kind to all, Ameen, Sum Ameen.