A Study Virtual Universities to Develop an Appropriate Model for Higher Education System in Iran

Nowadays information and communication technology (ICT) has transformed many aspects of our social life. One of these current transformations in educational environment is emerging virtual universities . Virtual university is an educational setting that has removed the barriers of time and distance by the power of information and communication technology (ICT) and has facilitated and accelerated access to educational opportunities according to learner’s time and style preferences . The main objective of this study was to develop a model for establishing virtual university in Iran. To do this and to clarify theoretical and conceptual dimensions of virtual university . this study has analyzed virtual universities as fourth and fifth generation of distance education . The components were extracted by reviewing the relevant literature and comparative study and the proposed model consisted of eleven components ( philosophy & goal ; theoretical foundations ; technology infrastructure ; human infrastructure ; pedagogical infrastructure ; cultural/ social/ value infrastructure ; economic infrastructure ; management and leadership infrastructure ; administration and support system infrastructure ; and implementation stages ) was developed . A questionnaire was used to determine the appropriateness of the model . The experts approved the model with an average of 4.32 out 5 . Furthermore , the faculty member’s and administrators skills , attitudes and opinions regarding to establishing virtual university have been investigated . At the end , some recommendations were made implement the model or conducting similar research.