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Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad has launched a program to give free education to the country's underprivileged transgender community, local media reported Tuesday.
The University's vice chancellor (VC) Professor Shahid Siddiqui said that by taking the step, the university administration hopes to return the long-lost self-respect and dignity to the community.
He added that education will help the neglected transgender people to be the responsible citizens of the society and join mainstream national life at par with other individuals.
The VC said that they have received a positive response from the community and have already started receiving applications from the transgender community for admission in the forthcoming fall semester.
He added that they have also extended the last date of admission from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10 exclusively for the transgender community to accommodate maximum possible applicants.
He said that the varsity is already providing free education to physically handicapped and visually impaired people and also to jail inmates.
The transgender community is one of the most neglected communities of Pakistani society.
In 2012, the country's apex court declared equal rights for transgender citizens, including the right to inherit property and assets.
The community was given the right to vote in 2011.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
