Virtual University of Pakistan

جامعہ مجازی پاکستان
Other name	VU
Motto	معیاری تعلیم آپ کے دروازے پر
Motto in English	"World Class Education at Your Doorstep"
Type	Public university E-learning Coeducational Higher education institution
Established	2002 (2002)
Founder	Dr Naveed A Malik
Affiliation	HEC, MoITT
Chancellor	President of Pakistan
Rector	Arshad Saleem Bhatti [1]
Academic staff	350+
Administrative staff	300+
Students	25,000 enrolled in 2019 165,000+ currently studying [2]
Location	Head office: M.A Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road Lahore , 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

The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) (Urdu: جامعہ مجازی پاکستان) is a public university with its headquarters in M.A Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.^[3] It mainly focuses on providing e-learning programs through utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.

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

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]

E-learning & Interactive Mode of Education

Virtual University provides first of its kind interactive E-learning study model in Pakistan since year-2002. Students can get lectures through its AI based Learning Management System (VULMS) platform. The Virtual University uses a combination of video lectures, reading material, audio/video tutorials and on-line interaction (e-class rooms) for imparting knowledge. However, it follows a very formal assessment and evaluation system in the same fashion as used in any conventional higher education institution (HEI).Although, the University observes the semester system, its students have complete flexibility to study at their own convenience, pace and place. Complete student-teacher interaction and support is provided through the VULMS while semester examinations are conducted in a formal, proctored environment at designated examination centers throughout the country.

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:

References

VU Mentor