Faculty of Management Sciences

Department of Management Sciences Program: Masters of Project Management (RPM)

Management, Organizational Policies and Practices

Assignment Title Case Study, Macro and Micro-environmental factors Effecting COMSATS Virtual Campus
1. Introduction:
COMSATS Virtual Campus is the online Degree Awarding campus of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Virtual Campus aims to enhance the coverage of quality higher education in the country by providing opportunities to those who could not attend universities because of inflexible timings, cost, and cultural barriers. The Virtual Campus is delivering online courses to distance learning students. CIIT Virtual Campus's mission is to be the institution of choice for distant and online education for all. The Virtual University intends to get there by providing exceptional services to the learners, through modern teaching techniques. Course ware based on scheme of studies of CIIT approved programs is developed by subject specialists in digital format. The digital learning contents are then presented Figure 1. COMSATS Institute of Information Technology to students via an online web based learning management system(LMS) moderated by dedicated subject tutors working full time at CIIT virtual campus. CIIT Virtual Campus Study Center is envisioned to be a state of the art learning facility with an established ICT infrastructure and strong support system. A study center will facilitate CIIT's academic and administrative outreach and represent Virtual Campus in the targeted area. At present approximately 150 CIIT Virtual Campus affiliated study centers are working in all major districts of Pakistan having presence in all provinces of country.

2. Macro Environmental Factors Effecting the Organization: (PESTEL)

2.1 Political factors:
Despite the many ups and downs in the political situation of the country and the subsequent Impact on educational sector in Pakistan, the private sector of education has largely remained unaffected. The private sector institutions of higher education have shown remarkable growth rates in the Education sector. The sole reason for this is that the civil society of Pakistan understands and values the importance of education, however in the public sector (Government Institution) has negative effect of the political situation of the country, as the favoritism, nepotism, low and order situation in the country creates hurdles in the growth of public sector education.

2.2 Economic factors:

The geo-strategic location of Pakistan complimented by availability of cheap labor and other natural resources favors the country with economic opportunities.

2.3 Social factors:

COMSATS Virtual Campuss is ideal for the conduct of research, development and business activities, as the world become global village due to technology and it advancement, so through social networking, the virtual campus of COMSATS university can grow faster.

2.4 Technological factors:

Pakistan is a developing country and it has shown remarkable progress in technological sector, its telecommunication sector is considered one of the best in South Asia. The attitude of the people and the government towards technological development is quite encouraging. The current level of technological development in Pakistan does support technological endeavors, so we can expect the growth of COMSATS Virtual Campus, as increase in the usage of technology also increase the enrollment of distance learners..

3. Micro Environment Factors in light of Porter Five Forces Model:

1. Threat of new potential entrants:
Since the region is fast growing in Education sector, there can easily be any other competitors from anywhere.

2. Threat of substitute product/services:

There is less threat from substitute products because for most businesses or clients, the substitute for Education sector is less possible. Thus students have almost less option to change their university as students always wish to get education form standard university.

3. Rivalry among current competitors:

Since its a growing market the entry of new entrants is making the education Industry more competitive. Universities are striving to provide quality education at reasonable price to students along other related services.

4. Proposed Strategy:
We have observed that the macro factors of environment has favorable effects the Educational Sector, however, the growing education sector is increasing competition due to new entrants. On the basis of the above analysis of environmental factors affecting the institution internally and externally, I proposed the following Strategy.

1. Superior quality:
Services of COMSATS Virtual Campus are being recognized as the best available in the Education market. The more the students of virtual campus get jobs after completion of their education will increase the demand of students to get education from COMSATS Virtual Campus. The superior quality can only support the institution to contest in the market.

2. Latest technology:
The institute is also equipped with the latest technology. Technological advantage is indeed the biggest advantage. COMSATS Virtual Campus should equip itself with the latest technology that gives an edge over its rivals in the market.

3. Human capital:
One of the hot issues in todays competitive environment the trained and well equipped employees. COMSATS Virtual Campus have the advantage of a very professional team including foreign qualified experts. 4. Pricing Strategy: COMSATS Virtual Campus needs to access the buying power of clients/students in the market. It will decrease their tuition fee and also provide different scholarships to attract students.

5. Professional Project Management practices:

Usually companies do not have the professional project management practices as it is one of the major needs of the time to remain in the business. COMSATS Virtual Campus needs to consider the importance of PMP COMSATS Virtual Campus and implemented a very strong project management system in place.

6. Marketing Strategy:
Apparently COMSATS Virtual Campus does not have any critical weakness that can be harmful or any kind of problematic situation in current operations. But still as compared with the competitors, COMSATS Virtual Campus need to make effective marketing strategy. Assignment Submitted by:
Registration No:

Alla Uddin
CIIT/FA13-RPM-057/CVC