Virtual University of Pakistan

The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) (ورچوئل یونیورسٹی آف پاکستان) is a public university in Islamabad.^[3] It mainly focuses on providing e-learning programs through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.

Virtual University of Pakistan

ورچوئل یونیورسٹی آف پاکستان
Other name	VU
Motto	Mayari taleem aapke derwaze per
Motto in English	"World Class Education at Your Doorstep"
Type	Public university E-learning Coeducational Higher education institution
Established	2002; 23 years ago (2002)
Founder	Dr. Naveed A Malik
Affiliation	HEC, MoITT
Chancellor	President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari
Rector	Dr. Nasir Mahmood | Interim charge [1]
Academic staff	350+
Administrative staff	300+
Students	25,000 enrolled in 2019 165,000+ currently studying [2]
Location	Head office: Sir Syed Memorial Society Building, 19-Ataturk Avenue, G-5/1, Islamabad , Pakistan
Campus	200+ Campuses, operating in more than 125 cities across the country.
Language	Urdu, English
Colors	Duke Blue, White
Website	www.vu.edu.pk
Champion in E-Learning on AI Based VULMS vulms.vu.edu.pk

Overview

Virtual University was established in 2002 by the Government of Pakistan to promote e-learning.^[4] It is recognized by the Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)^[5] and holds highest category 'W' by HEC. The Virtual University of Pakistan also holds a Federal Charter. It is Pakistan's first university based on completely modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and evolving their mode of education by using artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual reality, and metaverse technologies. The university offers undergraduate, post-graduate and doctorate courses in various disciplines. Due to its heavy reliance on serving lectures through the internet, Pakistani students abroad are also enrolled in the university's programs.^[4]

Academics

Faculties

• Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology

1. Department of CS and IT

• Faculty of Education

1. Department of Education

• Faculty of Management

1. Department of Management Sciences
2. Department of Public Administration

• Faculty of Science and Technology

1. Department of Biological Science
2. Department of Mathematics
3. Department of Statistics

• Faculty of Arts

1. Department of Economics
2. Department of English
3. Department of Mass Communication
4. Department of Psychology
5. Department of Sociology

Campuses

Main ICT Building of Virtual University of Pakistan.

Mobile Labs of Virtual University.

Virtual University has two types of campuses. The first ones are its own campuses which are called its offices. Its head office is located in Lahore.^[6] Second ones are called private virtual campuses (PVC)^[7] and run by the private organizations (more commonly known as affiliated campuses).^[8] Virtual University has more than 200 campuses in Pakistan with on-site facilities.

Virtual University of Pakistan has developed mobile science laboratories for research of bio-sciences and technology.^[9]

Learning and evaluation method

The students are conventionally evaluated each semester through physical appearance in their Mid Term Exams and Final Term Exams at designated university campuses, and remaining semester activities like assignments, quizzes, and GDB which are conducted through VULMS.

Board of Governors

The constitution of the Board of Governors as defined in the Virtual University Ordinance 2002 is as follows:

No.	Governing Bodies	Designations
1.	President of Pakistan	Chancellor
2.	Secretary, MoITT, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad	Chairman
4.	Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan	CEO/Member
5.	Secretary, Ministry of Education, Islamabad or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Secretary	Member
6.	Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad	Member
7.	Chairperson, Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) or his nominee not below the rank of an officer of BPS 20	Member
8.	Chairman, National Telecommunications Corporations or his nominee not below the rank of an officer of BPS 20	Member
9.	Registrar, Virtual University of Pakistan	Secretary
10.	One Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan	Member
11.	One Serving or Retired Rector or Vice Chancellor of a Public Sector University	Member
12.	Three Eminent Educationists or Scientists not being Employees of the University	Member
13.	One Expert from Financial Sector	Member
14.	One Dean of the University	Member

Research and innovation

The Virtual University is actively engaged in research and innovation, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies.^[10]

International collaborations

The university collaborates with several international educational institutions to offer a diverse range of courses and research opportunities.^[11]