The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) ( ur, ) is a public university with its headquarters in M.A Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It mainly focuses on providing distant 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 distance education. It is recognized by the Higher Education Commission (Pakistan). The Virtual University of Pakistan also holds a Federal Charter. The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses in

business administration Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of management ...

, economics, computer science and information technology. Due to its heavy reliance on serving lectures through the internet, Pakistani students abroad are also enrolled in the university's programs.

Academic degrees

VU offers following degree programs:

Bachelor's programs (four years)

* BS Sociology * BS Computer science (last 3 semester all subject f grade roll) * BS Information technology * BS Software engineering * BS Business administration * BS Public administration * BS Management * BS Marketing * Bachelor of Business and Information Technology (BBIT) * BS Mass communication * BS Psychology * BS Commerce * BS Accounting and finance * BS Banking and finance

Bachelor's programs (two years)

* BA * BA (Mass communication) * BA (Psychology) * B.Sc. (Computer science) * B.Com. * B.Ed. (Elementary) * BA (Business administration) * BA (Mathematics, statistics and economics) * BA (Supply chain management)

Associate Degree Program (ADP two years)

* Computer Networking * Database Management System * Web design and Development * Computer Science * Accounting and Finance * Islamic Banking * Human Resources management * Operations Management * Sales and Marketing * Supply Chain Management

Master's programs (MA/MSc 2.0 years)

* M.Sc. Statistics * Master of Computer Science (MCS) * Master of Information Technology (MIT) * Master of Business Administration (MBA)-Executive * M.Sc. Applied Psychology * M.Sc. Economics * M.Sc. Organizational Psychology * M.Sc. Mass Communication * M.Sc. Mathematics * M.A. English Language Teaching (ELT) * Master of Commerce (M.Com.) * Master of Public Administration (MPA) * Master of Business Economics (MBEcon) * Master of Accounting * Master of Finance * Master of Accounting and Finance * Master of Banking and Finance * Master of Human Resources Management (MHRM) * Master of Operation and Supply Chain Management

Master's programs (MS/MPhil 2 years)

* MS Mathematics * MSBA/MBA * MS Bioinformatics * MS Biotechnology * MS Genetics * MS Molecular biology * M.Phil.Education (Educational Leadership and Management) * MS Computer Science * MS Zoology

Doctoral programs

* Ph.D. Computer science * Ph.D. Biotechnology

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. Second ones are called private virtual campuses (PVC) and run by the private organizations (more commonly known as affiliated campuses).

Distant teaching method

VU is one of two Pakistani universities which provide distance education (the first one is Allama Iqbal Open University). The students can get lectures it
Learning Management System (LMS)YouTube channel
and online sessions.

Milestones

* First batch of 500 students starts classes. ''March 26, 2002'' * Federal Charter granted by Government of Pakistan. ''September 1, 2002'' * VU start broadcasts over its own TV channels VTV1 and VTV2. ''June 15, 2004'' * VU selected as coordinating institute of multi-country IDRC funded project. ''March 1, 2005'' * VU puts is lectures on YouTube ''November, 2005'' * Launch of MCS, MIT and MBA programs. ''March 6, 2006'' * Launch of two new TV channels VTV3, & VTV4. ''September 26, 2006'' * VU becomes an Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) member. ''November 7, 2006'' * VU agreement with Ujala TV Dubai to telecast VU programs. ''November 30, 2006''. * VU agreement with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences to offer joint BS Bio-informatics program. ''May 25, 2007'' * Launch of MS program in Computer Science. ''Fall 2007'' * Launch of B.A., B.Com., B.Sc. (2-year programs). ''Fall 2009" * VU launches its in-house developed LMS (Learning Management System) and other MIS(s) by IT Department. ''Spring 2009'' * The Virtual University of Pakistan held its first Convocation on Tuesday 18 May 2010 simultaneously at Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Jamshoro, Karachi and Quetta. * The Virtual University of Pakistan holds Highest Category 'W' By HEC. * HEC on May 28, 2013, has clarified the ambiguity created by some newspapers amongst VU students and the general public. HEC has, therefore, reconfirmed the status of the university as an online and distance education institution of the country.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Virtual University Of Pakistan Distance education institutions based in Pakistan Educational institutions established in 2002 Universities and colleges in Lahore Public universities and colleges in Pakistan 2002 establishments in Pakistan