Throughout the developed world, technology has reached an unprecedented level of advancement. However, one must not overlook the underprivileged communities scattered around the globe. These communities are in a continuous struggle to attain the very basic necessities of life, let alone own a computer.

PLANWEL believes that in order for the developed world to attain the highest ethical standards of such technological advancement; technology must be used as a tool to improve the quality of life of underprivileged communities. Otherwise, the gap between the developed and the underdeveloped worlds will only widen and hence, the globalization process is hindered.

One step towards improving the conditions of the underprivileged masses is to provide them with quality education at an affordable cost. Today's emerging technologies can economize quality education for underprivileged masses which, in turn makes it possible to educate more and more people with minimum number of instructors incurring minimum cost. This has now become possible through the distance learning process conducted by the Virtual Universities using Internet2 Broadband technology and Telematics.

Objectives

The objectives of PLANWEL are to promote education and research in the region such that quality education could reach underprivileged masses globally. Here, the Distance Education through the use of Internet is an opportunity for underdeveloped countries to prepare themselves for the new millennium's technology based communities. This has now become possible through the concept of Virtual University.

Coming to the question of virtual university, yes they have now become reality as we can refer to few; California Virtual University, Western Governors University , The African Virtual University (AVU) , and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR) , but these are a reality only for the developed nations where individuals can afford computers and the infrastructure is in place; but unfortunately, in Third World Countries, the underprivileged masses are still living under miserable conditions. Even if the structure is put in place still individuals will not be able to afford computers or the line rents.

PLANWEL believes that in order to make the Virtual University a reality for globalization of education, it is essential - with the help of local private sector - to open up delivery POP's (Point of Presence) for these Virtual Universities in each and every community of underdeveloped nation. These POP's (Point of Presence) will act as catalyst for development, and diffusing disparity. While in reality, the Virtual Universities will host researchers and Professors from around the world; the POP's (Point of Presence) will be their class rooms in the underprivileged communities all around the world. These researchers/professors will be on the Panel of the Mega University System from around the world leading to a true virtual forum, disseminating their knowledge through the POP's (Point of Presence) around the GLOBE.

One of our recent success stories is the establishment of The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) , by Government of Pakistan based on PLANWEL’s model. It is one of the most encouraging steps taken by Government of Pakistan in bringing socio-economic changes to the region. We give due credit to all the players involved in this great achievement.

This eventually would launch research on the Internet Program in the underdeveloped region. Once this delivery system is tested it will be replicated through out the region in health care and various other sectors. Which will, in turn, be quite affordable. Just as an example; a panel of top surgeons from around the world can provide life saving operating instructions to a local surgeon in some remote health center in a third world country. This project is tailored to underprivileged regions of the world. This will prepare the communities for the new millennium’s Technology Based Communities. These POP’s (Point of Presence) will be operated and maintained by local communities for various other Information Technology related services like telemedicine, e-commerce, tele-banking etc., providing needed facilities and generating money. These centers will be the true reflection of PLANWEL’s vision for: