Virtual Leaps in Distance Education: A Conversation with Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Founding Rector of the Virtual University of Pakistan

Abstract

Executive SummaryBesides being an honest, knowledgeable, humble, and respected man, Dr. Naveed A. Malik is the Founder-Rector of the Virtual University of Pakistan. In his position as the Rector, Dr. Malik is the Chief Executive and Academic Officer of the University and his responsibility is ensure that the provisions of the Virtual University Ordinance, the Statutes, the Regulations and Rules are faithfully observed in order promote teaching, research, administration, general efficiency and good order of the University.Dr. Malik obtained his Master's degree in Physics from the University of Punjab, Pakistan and later the Doctor of Science degree from M.I.T. in the field of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science specializing in Digital Signal Processing. As a staff member at the University of the Punjab, Dr. Malik established the Spark Source Mass Spectroscopy laboratory and later, became the founder chairman of the Department of Computer Science. He was the principal architect and developer of the Punjab University's computerized examination system and was also responsible for the design and implementation of the University's fiber-optic campus-area network that was commissioned in 2000. He has been associated with the Virtual University project from its inception date. He has lectured extensively, has been an active systems and software development consultant and has published several papers on various technical subjects. Dr. Malik is currently coordinating an IDRC funded multi-country research effort in distance learning technologies. He is a life member of the Pakistan Institute of Physics and was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2008 for services education.Virtual University (lrU). The Virtual University of Pakistan, which is one of the first universities around the world that is based on modern communication technologies,1 was established by the Pakistani government as a public sector, not-for-profit institution with a mission to provide extremely affordable world class education aspiring students all over the As part of its education process, VUP uses free-to-air satellite television broadcasts and the Internet, which allows students follow its rigorous course and programs regardless of their ability attend face-to-face sessions or their physical locations. This process alleviates the lack of capacity in the existing universities while simultaneously tackling the shortage of qualified professors in each field of study. By identifying the best professors within the country or outside of the country in various subjects, regardless of their institutional affiliations, and requesting them develop and deliver hand-crafted courses, VUP aims at providing the very best courses students around the country. VUP's degrees are recognized and accepted all over Pakistan as well as overseas. VUP opened its virtual doors in 2002 and in a short span of time has reached throughout the country serving over 100,000 students. Furthermore, VUP is associated with more than a hundred institutions providing infrastructure support students across the country at a fraction of the cost of traditional educational organizations.VUP delivers education through a thoughtful combination of broadcast television and the Internet. VUP2 courses are designed and delivered by knowledgeable and published experts in the field. For each course's topics, professionally developed lectures are recorded at the school's studio environment and they are accompanied by relevant slides, video clips and other materials for broadcast students. Besides being broadcasted over the television networks, course lectures are also made available in the form of multimedia CDs which are sent registered students. These course lectures are also available as streaming media from the Virtual University's servers their students.The multiple formats allow flexibility for students who may view the lectures at a time of their choosing. …