The evolution of culture and human beings as a species depended on the practice of transmitting knowledge orally or through imitation in pre-literate societies. In literate societies, the development of formal education now depends on the systems of institutionalized teaching and learning in relation to a prescribed curriculum that is established according to a predetermined purpose of the schools in the system. In modern civilization, there is an increasing emphasis on higher education at the university level for optimal resource utilization. However, owing to capacity constraints in conventional universities as well as the requirement of flexible programs, the trend for virtual education is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. Virtual University of Pakistan pioneered this concept in Pakistan in March 2002 and relies on modern means of ICT to deliver educational content and instructions to learners.

Virtual University of Pakistan offers academic programs that fulfill learners’ aspirations. The students enrolled in higher education institutions are correctly concerned about quality of education imparted by them. Maintaining and enhancing quality of their programs has become one of the major challenges faced by higher education institutions today. In order to address this challenge, the Virtual University focuses on ‘progress’, ‘vision’, and ‘quality’ not only in academic programs but also in the delivery of education. The establishment of its Directorate of Quality Enhancement (DQE) under the umbrella of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the HEC is a critical part of this effort. The DQE undertakes various activities for assuring quality of teaching-learning processes, academic programs, and organizational operations, and I firmly believe that it will play a pivotal role in improving the quality of education through rigorous, well documented efforts.