Virtual IT varsity to start functioning from this summer: Atta | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Virtual IT varsity to start functioning from this summer: Atta

KARACHI- The virtual 1nformation Technology (IT) university in the country will start functioning later this summer. This was stated by Federal Science and Technology Minister Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman. He termed this as a major programme towards the spread of information technology in the country.

The minister said the offices of this very university would be located in all the provinces, adding that a new channel dedicated to IT education and that of science and technology will also be initiated this year.

Prof. Atta stated that preparation of the programme contents for the distance learning university is also in progress. Recording has started and it will be carried out at the key institutions. As many as 30 tutoring centres would be set up across the country, he said and added that this will allow a large number of students to enroll themselves. The minister said short courses of two to three months duration as well as three-year full-fledged degree programme in computer science would be offered. A fee as low as Rs 1,200 per month, which is less than that of the other institutions, would be charged, he added.

Prof. Atta said as many as seven IT universities will be set up this year and added that the Combat and past have already been given the charter. He said the Petroman will be upgraded to the level of a university, adding the virtual 1T university will start functioning later this summer and an IT university will be set up at Raiwind near Lahore. There will be two IT universities in the private sector namely the Memon IT University and the Dadabhoy IT University.

The minister is also proceeding to Britain on a five-day visit from March 13. During his stay there, he will hold talks with various British universities for establishing linkages with information technology institute in Pakistan.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:3/9/2001