AIOU holds Research Award Ceremony 2025

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ) “A research career is a serious and prestigious path, based on a researcher’s hard work, honesty, and dedication. The key to success in this field lies in originality, truth, and academic integrity,” said the Vice-Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, while addressing the “Research Awards 2025” ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor urged teachers and researchers to safeguard their work from plagiarism and fraudulent content to maintain their credibility and contribute positively to the academic and research fields. Emphasizing the importance of research, he stated that modern research and the pursuit of knowledge form the foundation of true educational progress.
He further reiterated that AIOU considers the promotion of quality research and the encouragement of researchers as its top priority and is taking all possible measures to achieve this goal. According to him, universities gain national and international recognition through their research and teaching capabilities, making it imperative to focus on enhancing research standards.
Dr. Nasir Mahmood also stressed that researchers should align their work with Pakistan’s needs and developmental goals, ensuring their research gets published in internationally renowned journals and those approved by the Higher Education Commission. Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor directed an increase in incentives to enhance the quality of research.
The “Research Awards 2025” ceremony was organized by the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC). On this occasion, faculty members, researchers, and students who demonstrated outstanding performance in the field of research were honored.
During the event, Research Publication Grants 2024 and Research Project Grants were awarded to eligible researchers, including cash prizes and certificates. This year, a total of 312 applications were received, out of which 283 applicants were declared eligible. Under the Research Publication Grant, 183 faculty members, officers, and staff from various departments, as well as 100 students, were provided financial assistance, while under the Research Project Grant, 45 faculty members received grants.
The ceremony was attended by the university’s deans, faculty members, and principal officers, who congratulated the successful researchers on their outstanding achievements.
Earlier, Additional Director of Research, Dr. Saima Nasir, shed light on ORIC’s research contributions. She stated that with the continued support of the Vice-Chancellor and faculty members, the mission of promoting research could be advanced more effectively. She further added that the event truly reflects the vision and mission of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood in promoting research and ensuring quality educational development.