ISLAMABAD, June 05 (INP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad has started taking necessary steps for upgrading its academic facilities in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), by opening up its office at Wanna, in South Wazirstan Agency. The Wanna’s office will cater the educational needs of the surrounding areas, including Dera Ismail Khan and District Tank.  This is part of the initiatives taken by the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui during the last three and half years to enhance the educational facilities in the country’s less-developed regions. Wanna consists of around six and half lac population and the AIOU’s educational facilities will help the local people to come in main stream of the national development. According to the Director Regional Services, the AIOU was already running study and examination centers at Wanna and now with the availability of a regular office, the students will be able to get solved their routine problems on fast-track basis. The AIOU has already decided to provide free education to the people of FATA at Matric level. The same facility is also available to the people of Baluchistan. It was already providing free education to the deprived sections of the people, including prisoners, disabled, drop-out girls and transgender group. The University also offers nine scholarships schemes and special fee-waiver to facilitate the deserving students in carrying out their future education. This also includes special scholarship to internally displaced persons in FATA. INP/LK/AK