Virtual University of Pakistan: an introduction

Virtual University of Pakistan has been established by the Government of Pakistan and granted a Federal charter to operate nationally as well as internationally. It aims at raising the standards of education in Pakistan by providing high quality, easily accessible and affordable world-class education through the finest faculty nation-wide.
With latest communication techniques, the Virtual University imparts education beyond geographical boundaries. The services of the best available faculty are utilised and therefore the best teachers are available for the students irrespective of their geographic limitations.
The Virtual University broadcasts its lectures on Television which are delivered by the best available professors in the country. The University Television "Virtual Television Network" has four satellite free-to-air TV channels (VTV-1, VTV-2, VTV3 and VTV4) linked to PAKSAT-I. Reception of these channels can be made with the help of a digital receiver and 6ft dish anywhere in Pakistan. Student attends to their lectures either at Virtual Campuses or at home.
Thereafter, they avail free computer and internet facilities available at Virtual Campus to communicate and interact with their peers and teachers. Students are allowed to access moderated discussion boards that contain questions (asked from students all over the country and abroad) and their replies. The lectures of courses are available on CDs for students and also to the users from other teaching institutions. This enables the students to review their lesson at any time. The Virtual University of Pakistan provides the entire lecture materials on its web site. In addition, printed lectures handouts/notes are also provided to students and to the users from other universities/institutions.
Presently, there are more than 120 campuses spread in 65 cities of Pakistan. VU has established 12 own campuses in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pishin, Sukkur, Ghotki and Gujranwala. Thus VU has its own 5 campuses in top 10 populated cities of Pakistan and remaining 7 have been established in other cities. These carefully selected virtual campuses provide the required infrastructure for undertaking the courses and to conduct proctored examinations.
These campuses also act as satellite administrative centers for VU students. The Virtual University combines quality with affordability and strives at imparting knowledge across the nation and even abroad, also allowing the students of remote areas to brighten their future as well as contributing to the local and national economy at large. This unique system of education is one of its kind in Asia and is based purely on electronic media.
Currently, the Virtual University is offering four year (8 semesters) Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in disciplines of Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting & Finance, Commerce, Psychology, and Mass Communication and 2-year bachelors in five different disciplines. Two-year Master's Program has been launched in the discipline of Computer Science, Information Technology and Business Administration.
One year Diploma in Computer Science & Information Technology is also offered. Virtual University is also offering Professional Short Certificate Courses of one semester duration. Total enrolment of students is more than 30,000. A nominal fee of Rs 1300/- and Rs 2000/- per month is being charged from bachelor and Master Students, respectively.
VU student won first position in preparing PERN Logo competition of Higher Education of Pakistan. Moreover seven VU students presented their papers at "e-ducation without Borders" held at Abu Dhabi 2005. VU has linkages with other universities/institutions that include MIT (USA), University of Central Lancashire, and University of Education etc. Virtual University of Pakistan is spearheading & co-ordinating IDRC project on Distance Learning Technologies in Asia wherein research work in 11 countries including Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, India etc is in progress under the supervision of VU.