**2.1.1 Virtual university**

A Virtual University is an exclusively virtual institution that will provide specific functions for the development of educational programs (including the design of the learning materials), such as: tutorials and guidance, production, storage and distributing of educational materials, management and accounting (financial problems), marketing, evaluation and accreditation.

Conventional education systems often attempt to create secondary distance learning programmes, however their administrative structures are often incompatible or poorly adaptable to these. Also, traditional institutions are usually sceptical towards distance education, deeming it unable to achieve satisfactory results. Therefore, they are reluctant in invest in this direction.

A virtual university, on the other hand, can be fully devoted to this educational model, therefore being more likely to meet the requirements of distance learning students.
