July 15, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 14: The Virtual University (VU) has initiated four years degree programme in multi-discipline, said minister in charge for science and technology Prof (Dr) Attaur Rehman here on Monday.

“The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has already granted television licenses for two educational channels for distance learning programme, which will be started by the end of October,” Dr Rehman said while speaking at a news briefing.

Minister of State for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Raza Hayat Hiraj and VU rector Dr Naveed Malik also spoke on the occasion.

The four-year (8 semesters) multi-discipline being offered as the BS degree in liberal arts programme include: bachelor of science in business administration (finance, marketing, human resource development), public administration, accounting, finance, commerce, economics, education, law, mass communication, political science, sociology and statistics.

A professional course on photography in collaboration with Kodak has also been initiated by the VU.

Orientation session for students will be held from September 18-20, whereas classes will commence from September 22.

The VU is a distance learning institute in which lectures are delivered through television. The student’s interact with the faculty through the internet.

“With the introduction of the degree courses in liberal arts, the VU, which was earlier offering bachelor of computer sciences (BCS) only, will become a quality institution offering balanced and wholesome education,” Dr Rehman said.

“Indeed its quality of education was second to none in any part of the world,” he said adding that the university had to its credit the largest number of PhDs.

Mr Hiraj urged the need to initiate both short-term and long-term courses in agriculture sector like farming, dairy, animal husbandry, poultry etc.

He said campuses would also be opened at different government departments like Capital Development Authority (CDA), Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDC), Punjab Secretariat, Sindh Secretariat etc to encourage government employees to enhance their educational qualifications.

Replying to a question, he said the VU was a chartered university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and its degrees were also accepted by the international universities.

The university rector, Mr Malik, said it was for the first time in Pakistan that a public sector university was offering a four years BS degree programme in multiple disciplines. Programmes being offered by VU are funded by the government that will enable students from every corner of the country to choose disciplines and acquire world-class education delivered by some of Pakistan’s most qualified professors, he added.

The fees will be Rs1,445 per month while the total cost of the programme would be Rs68,000.

Applicants who already hold a two-year recognized bachelor’s degree from any university would also be able to avail certain exemptions and be classified as “fast-track” students.