Allama Iqbal Open University (or AIOU), founded in 1974, is a university in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is one of the world's largest universities by enrollment, with 1,806,214 students in 2004–2005. Allama Iqbal Open University was established under an act of parliament in 1974 as a pioneer in non-formal and distance education in Pakistan. It was then the world's second open university; the first such university was established in the UK in 1969. AIOU provides an opportunity for working people to enhance their qualifications without giving up their jobs or homes. In Pakistan distance education is particularly suited to the female population as it offers them an opportunity to study at home. Similarly, people living in the tribal and far-flung areas far from conventional educational institutions, have an opportunity to be educated. Study for the certificates and degrees is at the students’ pace and convenience. The AIOU study media includes paper materials, radio and TV, satellite transmission, online teaching, non-broadcast media, tutorial instruction and group training workshops. The AIOU started with five courses and an enrolment of around 1,000 in 1975-76.