©Copyright Virginia Tech

Home

Enrollment

Objectives Contacts

                                           Director's Message | Mission | History

  Home --> History

Virtual Corporation

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University


    Virtual Corporation (VC) was founded in the Fall of 1997 by Dr. Leonard Ferrari (former Head of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) and Dr. Krishnan Ramu (Professor of the Bradley Department). The goal of VC is to provide students the opportunity to gain hand-on professional experience without leaving the campus.

    VC is subdivided into three divisions; the Personal Electric Rapid Transit Systems (PERTS) ,Distributed Information Systems Corporations (DISC), and the VC-Layer (Human Resources). The first two divisions mentioned have their own products and the VC-LAYER primarily handles recruiting. PERTS evaluates possible innovations in high-speed ground transportation using MagLev technologies to promote public transport. DISCS focuses on a medical imaging database by working with the Maryland and Virginia Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

     Since VC was found, there have been over 300 students (both undergraduate and graduated students) participated in the program. On average, approximately 50 students are involved during an inaugural semester. Through the participation in VC, students are exposed to the various aspects of managing a business. Students in each division are broke down into small teams of six people to concentrate working on modules of problems. By working in a cross-functional team based environment, students are able to gain an appreciation for the dynamics of a real-world organization. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous leadership positions within the company. Due to the similarities of natures between the VC and the actual business organizations, industry specialists and recruiters alike have become increasingly interested in the activities in VC. The Virtual Corporation looks forward to the many exciting challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.

Back to top