Full Length Research Paper

A comparative study of student support services of Allama Iqbal Open University and the Open University of Sri lanka

Aijaz Ahmed Gujjar¹*, Bushra Naoreen Chaudhry² and Amtul Hafeez Chaudhry³

¹Federal College of Education, Department of Education, the Islamia University of Bahhawalpur, Pakistan.

²GC University Faisalabad, Department of Education, the Islamia University of Bahhawalpur, Pakistan.

³Department of Distance and Non-Formal Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: seek_to_learn@yahoo.com.

Accepted 25 June, 2009

Abstract

This paper attempts to compare the availability, quality, similarities and differences in student support services offered by the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Pakistan and The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). It also aims to identify and report the deficiencies that students of both the institutions face in the student support services. To achieve the desired end, four hundred students (two hundred from each university) were taken as sample and a thirty eight item questionnaire (Likert scale) was constructed and pilot tested. The reliability of the research tool was found to be 0.84 (Cornbach’s Alpha). The questionnaire was divided into seven dimensions that is general services, regional office services, tutorial services, counselling services; media support services and library services. After collecting the data from the respondents from both the countries, independent sample t-test was run by using SPSS XII. The study found out that student support services of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Pakistan and The Open University of Sri Lanka are quantitatively developing rapidly on the same lines. The tutorial services, counselling services, media support services and library services of both the institutions have almost the same status. Student from the Open University of Sri Lanka enjoy better facilities in general services, regional office services and overall services. The conclusion leads to the recommendations that Allama Iqbal Open University (AOIU) Pakistan should improve student support services in all dimensions but more emphasis should be laid on general and regional office services.

Key words: AIOU, OUSL, distance education, student support services.