Virtual University of Pakistan
{{Short description|Public university in Pakistan}}
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{{More citations needed|date=July 2021}}
{{COI|date=August 2023}}
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{{Infobox university
| name = Virtual University of Pakistan
| native_name = {{nq|ورچوئل یونیورسٹی آف پاکستان}}
| image = VU Logo.png
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| other_name = VU
| motto = Mayari taleem aapke derwaze per
| motto_lang = ur
| mottoeng = "World Class Education at Your Doorstep"
| latin_name =
| established = {{Start date and age|df=yes| 2002}}
| closed =
| founder = Dr. Naveed A Malik
| type = Public university
E-learning
Coeducational
Higher education institution
| endowment =
| budget =
| officer_in_charge =
| chairman =
| chancellor = President of Pakistan
| president =
| vice-president =
| superintendent =
| provost =
| vice_chancellor =
| rector = Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti [https://www.app.com.pk/national/president-appoints-dr-arshad-saleem-bhatti-as-rector-virtual-university/ President appoints Dr Arshad Saleem Bhatti as Rector Virtual University]
| principal =
| dean =
| director =
| head_label =
| head =
| academic_staff = 350+
| administrative_staff = 300+
| students = 25,000 enrolled in 2019
165,000+ currently studying {{Citation|title=12th Convocation 2023: "12th Convocation of Virtual University 2023"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Cxs-PaREI&ab_channel=VirtualUniversityofPakistan/|language=en|access-date=2023-01-27}}
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| other =
| city = Head office: Sir Syed Memorial Society Building, 19-Ataturk Avenue, G-5/1, Islamabad
| campus = 200+ Campuses, operating in more than 125 cities across the country.
| country = Pakistan
| coor =
| former_names =
| free_label =
| free =
| colors = {{color box|#001A57}}{{color box|#FFFFFF}} Duke Blue, White
| colours =
| athletics_affiliations =
| mascot =
| sporting_affiliations = Pakistan Sports Board, PCB, PFF, PHF
| website = {{URL|https://www.vu.edu.pk/}}
| footnotes = Champion in E-Learning on AI Based VULMS
{{URL|https://vulms.vu.edu.pk/}}
| logo = Vu logo name.png
| logo_alt = VU LMS logo
}}
The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) ({{nq|ورچوئل یونیورسٹی آف پاکستان}}) is a public university in Islamabad.{{cite web |last=VU |title=Address and map location of Virtual University. |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Virtual+University+of+Pakistan&ie=UTF-8&ei=mnKuUvrcNZTDoATW_oDICA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg |access-date=16 December 2013 |work=Google Inc. |publisher=Google Maps}} It mainly focuses on providing e-learning programs through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.
Overview
Virtual University was established in 2002 by the Government of Pakistan to promote e-learning. It is recognized by the Higher Education Commission (Pakistan){{cite web |url=http://www.hec.gov.pk/OurInstitutes/Pages/Default.aspx |title=HEC recognized Universities |access-date=2013-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200812/http://www.hec.gov.pk/ourinstitutes/pages/default.aspx |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|last=VU|title=About: Introduction|url=https://www.vu.edu.pk/AboutUs/AboutVU.aspx|publisher=VU|access-date=16 December 2013}}
Academics
=Faculties=
- Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
- Department of CS and IT
- Faculty of Education
- Department of Education
- Faculty of Management
- Department of Management Sciences
- Department of Public Administration
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Department of Biological Science
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of Statistics
- Faculty of Arts
- Department of Economics
- Department of English
- Department of Mass Communication
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Sociology
Campuses
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.vu.edu.pk/Contact.aspx |title=Virtual University of Pakistan - Contact Info |publisher=Vu.edu.pk |date= |accessdate=2022-09-04}} Second ones are called private virtual campuses (PVC){{cite web | url=http://www.vu.edu.pk/pages/PVCRules.aspx | title=Virtual University of Pakistan - PVC RULES 2011 }} and run by the private organizations (more commonly known as affiliated campuses).{{cite web|url=http://www.vu.edu.pk/PVCs/Default.aspx |title=Virtual Campuses |publisher=Vu.edu.pk |date= |accessdate=2022-09-04}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.vu.edu.pk/NewsDetails.aspx?type&NewsId=2948 |title=Mobile Labs |publisher=vu.edu.pk |date= |accessdate=2018-11-16}}
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:
| class="wikitable" | ||
| 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.{{Cite web |title=Virtual University of Pakistan - AI Course Website |url=https://www.vu.edu.pk/pages/intro_AI.aspx |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.vu.edu.pk}}
International collaborations
The university collaborates with several international educational institutions to offer a diverse range of courses and research opportunities.{{Cite web |title=Virtual University of Pakistan - MOU and Collaborations |url=https://www.vu.edu.pk/AboutUs/MOUsCollaboration.aspx |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.vu.edu.pk}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication}}
{{Colleges and universities in Lahore}}
{{authority control}}
[https://www.vumentor.com/ VU Mentor]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virtual University Of Pakistan}}
Category:Distance education institutions based in Pakistan
Category:Educational institutions established in 2002
Category:Universities and colleges in Lahore