Section 1 of 10
Introduction to VTE
Overview of the PKCERT Virtual Training Environment platform and what this guide covers.
What is VTE?
The Virtual Training Environment (VTE) is Pakistan's national cybersecurity learning management system, developed and operated by PKCERT (Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team). The platform runs on VTE — one of the world's most trusted open-source LMS platforms — and provides curated cybersecurity training to government, industry, and academic audiences.
Platform URL
Support Contact
info@pkcert.gov.pk | +92-51-11162378
What You Can Do as an Instructor
- Create new training courses with multiple sections and topics
- Upload videos, documents, presentations, and learning materials
- Add quizzes, assignments, forums, and interactive activities
- Enroll participants and manage student access
- Track learner progress and generate completion reports
- Issue certificates automatically upon course completion
Prerequisites
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Account Role | Teacher, Course Creator, or Administrator role on VTE |
| Platform URL | https://vte.pkcert.gov.pk |
| Browser | Chrome, Firefox, or Edge (latest version recommended) |
| Internet | Stable connection required for file uploads and video |
| Contact for Access | info@pkcert.gov.pk to request elevated permissions |
Available Course Categories on VTE
Security Awareness Training
Cybersecurity
Cyber Laws & Compliance
Malware Analysis
Digital Forensics
Penetration Testing
Network Security
Ethical Hacking
Section 2 of 10
Login & Dashboard
How to access VTE, log in to your account, and navigate the VTE dashboard.
Step-by-Step Login Process
01
Open Your Browser
Launch Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Using an up-to-date browser ensures full compatibility with VTE's interface.
02
Navigate to the VTE Website
Type the address in your browser's address bar and press Enter.
URL
https://vte.pkcert.gov.pk
03
Click the Login Button
In the top navigation bar, click Pages → Login, or click the "Get Started" button on the homepage banner.
VTE Homepage — Top Navigation
Menu: Home | Courses ▾ | Pages ▾ (Login / Register) | Dashboard | Get Started button
04
Enter Your Username & Password
Type your registered username (or email) and password. Passwords are case-sensitive.
05
Click "Log In"
Press the blue Log in button to access your account and be taken to the dashboard.
VTE Login Page
Fields: Username | Password | Log in button | Forgotten password link | Create new account link
Forgot Password?
Click "Forgotten your username or password?" on the login page. A reset link will be sent to your registered email address. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive within 5 minutes.
Your Dashboard — What You'll See
VTE Dashboard
My Courses panel | Course overview | Recently accessed | Navigation sidebar | Top menu with gear icon
| Dashboard Element | What It Does |
|---|---|
| My Courses | Lists all courses you teach or are enrolled in |
| Gear Icon (top right) | Access Administration, Edit Profile, Preferences |
| Navigation Sidebar | Quick links to Site Home, Dashboard, Courses, Profile |
| Course Overview | Visual cards for each course with progress indicators |
| Notification Bell | New enrollment notifications, forum posts, deadlines |
Section 3 of 10
Creating a New Course
Two methods to create a course, depending on your account role and permissions.
Method A — Via Site Administration (Admin Role)
Recommended Method
If you have Administrator or Course Creator role, use this method for direct and immediate course creation.
01
Click the Gear Icon
After logging in, click the gear ⚙ icon in the top-right corner of any page to open the Administration menu.
02
Select "Site Administration"
From the gear dropdown, click Site Administration to enter the admin panel.
03
Navigate to Courses
In the left sidebar of Site Administration, click Courses to expand the section.
04
Click "Add a new course"
In the Courses section, click the blue "Add a new course" button. This opens the course creation form.
Site Administration → Courses
Left panel: Courses tab | Right: "Add a new course" button | "Manage courses and categories" option
Method B — Via Course Catalogue (Teacher Role)
01
Go to the Course Catalogue
Click Courses in the top navigation, then select Courses from the dropdown. This opens the full course catalogue.
02
Click "Request a Course"
If your role is Teacher (not Admin), you'll see a "Request a course" button. Fill in the request form. A site admin will approve and assign you to the course.
Role Difference
Admins and Course Creators see "Add a new course." Teachers see "Request a course." Contact info@pkcert.gov.pk to upgrade your role if needed.
Section 4 of 10
Configuring Course Settings
Every field in the Course Settings form — explained clearly for first-time users.
General Settings
Course Settings Form — General Section
Fields: Full course name* | Short name* | Course category | Course ID | Course visibility | Start/End dates
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Full Course Name ★ | Official title shown to students. E.g., "Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Professionals" |
| Short Name ★ | Unique abbreviation used in breadcrumbs. E.g., "CYBER-FUND-26" |
| Category | Select from: Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, Network Security, Digital Forensics, etc. |
| Course ID Number | Optional — for linking to an external registration system |
| Visibility | Show = public; Hide = admin/teacher only while building |
| Start Date | Date students can begin accessing content |
| End Date | Optional — automatically restricts access after this date |
Best Practice — Visibility
Set visibility to Hide while you build the course. Change to Show only when all content is finalized and tested. This prevents students from seeing incomplete materials.
Course Format
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Topics Format ⭐ | Numbered/named topic sections — best for cybersecurity courses |
| Weekly Format | Auto-divides into weekly blocks based on start/end dates |
| Single Activity | Displays one SCORM or quiz — for very simple courses |
| Social Format | Forum-based layout for discussion-driven content |
Course Description & Image
Write a clear summary. Include: what topics are covered, target audience, learning objectives, and estimated duration. This appears on the VTE course catalogue card.
Course Thumbnail Image
Upload a professional course image (JPG/PNG, minimum 1200×675 pixels, 16:9 ratio). This appears as the card image on the VTE homepage and course catalogue.
Saving the Course
01
Scroll to the Bottom of the Form
After completing all fields, scroll to the bottom of the course settings page.
02
Click "Save and Display"
Click the blue "Save and display" button. You'll be taken directly to your new empty course page. Alternatively, click "Save and return to course list" to go back to the list.
Section 5 of 10
Adding Course Content
Upload files, create pages, add quizzes, assignments, and all other activities.
Turning On Edit Mode
Edit Mode Required
You must turn on editing before you can add, move, or delete any course content. Click the "Turn editing on" toggle in the top-right corner of your course page.
Course Page — Edit Mode Toggle
"Turn editing on" button (top-right) | When active: green indicators appear, drag handles visible, "+ Add an activity or resource" links show under each section
Adding Different Types of Content
Click any item below to see the step-by-step instructions:
Uploading a File (PDF, Word, PPT, Video)
01
Turn Editing On
Click "Turn editing on" at the top right of your course page.
02
Click "+ Add an activity or resource"
At the bottom of the target section, click this link. A dialog/popup will appear.
03
Select "File"
In the Activity Chooser dialog, scroll to Resources and click "File", then click "Add".
04
Enter a Name & Upload
Type a descriptive name (e.g., "Module 1 — Introduction Slides (PDF)") then drag-and-drop or click "Add..." to upload from your computer.
05
Save
Click "Save and return to course". The file will now appear in the section.
Creating a Quiz
01
Add Activity → Select Quiz
In the Activity Chooser, select "Quiz" from the Activities section and click "Add".
02
Configure Quiz Settings
Set: Name, opening/closing dates, time limit, number of allowed attempts, and grading method.
03
Save and Add Questions
Click "Save and display", then click "Edit quiz" → "Add" → "A new question". Choose type: Multiple Choice, True/False, Short Answer, Matching, etc.
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Time Limit | 30–60 minutes for module assessments |
| Allowed Attempts | 1 (formal) or 2–3 (practice quizzes) |
| Grading Method | Highest grade (for multiple attempts) |
| Shuffle Questions | Yes — prevents answer sharing between students |
Adding an Assignment
Assignments allow students to submit files or typed text that you review and grade manually.
01
Select "Assignment" in Activity Chooser
Click "+ Add an activity or resource" → Select "Assignment" → Click "Add".
02
Set Due Date & Instructions
Enter the assignment name, description/instructions, due date, and maximum grade. Specify allowed file types and maximum file size.
03
Save
Click "Save and return to course". Students will see the assignment with the due date displayed.
Adding a URL / External Link
Link to YouTube videos, external websites, government resources, or any online content without uploading files.
01
Select "URL" in Activity Chooser
Under Resources, click "URL" then "Add".
02
Enter Name & URL
Type a display name and paste the full URL (including https://). Set display to "In pop-up" or "Open" based on preference.
All Available Activity Types — Quick Reference
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| File | Upload PDFs, Word docs, presentations, MP4 videos for download/viewing |
| Page | Rich-text web page built directly in VTE (text + images + links) |
| URL | Link to YouTube, external sites, or online tools |
| Folder | Group multiple related files in one organized folder |
| Quiz | Auto-graded assessments with multiple question types |
| Assignment | Student file/text submission for manual grading |
| Forum | Discussion board for Q&A and peer interaction |
| Lesson | Branched learning path with conditional progression |
| SCORM | Import Articulate, Captivate, or other eLearning packages (.zip) |
| Feedback | Anonymous course evaluation or satisfaction surveys |
| Certificate | Auto-issue completion certificates when criteria are met |
Section 6 of 10
Managing Sections & Topics
Rename, reorder, add, and hide sections to organize your course structure.
Renaming a Section
01
Turn Editing On
Click the "Turn editing on" toggle at the top-right of your course page.
02
Click the Pencil Icon on the Section Title
Each section header has a pencil ✏ icon. Click it to make the section title editable.
03
Type New Name & Save
Type your new section name (e.g., "Module 1: Introduction to Cyber Threats") and press Enter or click the ✓ checkmark.
Moving & Reordering Content
Drag and Drop
In edit mode, each activity/resource shows a four-directional arrow (⠿) drag handle. Click and drag this handle to move items within or between sections.
Alternatively, click the 3-dot menu (⋮) next to any item and choose "Move" to select a destination from a dropdown list — useful when drag-and-drop is difficult on touchscreens.
Hiding & Showing Items
| Action | How to Do It | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Hide an item | 3-dot menu → "Hide" | Grayed out for you; invisible to students |
| Show an item | 3-dot menu → "Show" | Visible and accessible to all enrolled students |
| Hide a whole section | Section gear → "Hide section" | Entire section hidden from students |
| Delete an item | 3-dot menu → "Delete" | Permanently removed (back up first!) |
Adding More Sections
01
Scroll to Bottom of Course
In editing mode, scroll to the very bottom of the course page.
02
Click "Add topics"
Click the "Add topics" link to add new sections. Or go to Gear icon → Edit settings → change "Number of sections" field.
Section 7 of 10
Enrolling Students
Add participants to your course using self-enrollment, manual enrollment, or cohort enrollment.
Method 1: Self-Enrollment (Recommended)
Allows students to enroll themselves. Optionally protected with an enrollment key (password).
01
Go to Enrolment Methods
In your course, click the Gear icon → "Participants" OR navigate to: Course administration → Users → Enrolment methods.
02
Enable Self Enrolment
Find "Self enrolment (Student)" in the list. If it shows a closed eye icon (disabled), click it to enable.
03
Set Enrollment Key (Optional)
Click the gear icon next to "Self enrolment", enter an Enrolment key for controlled access. Leave blank for open enrollment.
04
Save Changes
Click "Save changes" at the bottom of the page.
Method 2: Manual Enrollment
01
Open Participants Page
Click Gear icon → "Participants". Or use the left sidebar navigation.
02
Click "Enrol Users"
In the top-right of the Participants page, click the blue "Enrol users" button.
03
Search & Select Students
In the search box, type the student's name or email. Click their name in the search results to select them.
04
Confirm Role & Enrol
Ensure the role is set to "Student". Click "Enrol selected users and cohorts".
Cohort Enrollment
If your site admin has configured cohorts (groups for organizations, departments, or batches), you can enroll entire cohorts at once. Ask your VTE administrator to set up cohorts for bulk enrollment.
Section 8 of 10
Modifying & Updating a Course
How to edit course settings, update files, revise content, and back up your course.
Editing Course Details
01
Open the Course
Go to your course from "My Courses" on the dashboard or from the course catalogue.
02
Gear Icon → "Edit Settings"
Click the Gear ⚙ icon at the top right of the course page and select "Edit settings".
03
Update & Save
Edit any field: name, description, dates, visibility, image, format. Scroll to bottom and click "Save and display".
Replacing or Updating a File
01
Enable Edit Mode
Click "Turn editing on" from the top-right or gear menu.
02
Edit the File Activity
Click the 3-dot menu next to the file → "Edit". This opens the file settings form.
03
Delete Old File & Upload New
In the file upload area, click the existing file → "Delete" → confirm. Then click "Add" and upload your updated file.
04
Save
Click "Save and return to course".
Backing Up Your Course
Always Back Up Before Major Changes
Create a backup before restructuring sections, deleting content, or making large-scale changes. A VTE backup (.mbz file) can restore your entire course if needed.
01
Gear → Backup
On your course page, click the Gear icon then select "Backup".
02
Select Backup Contents
Choose what to include: activities, resources, grades. For a content-only backup, uncheck "Include enrolled users".
03
Perform & Download
Click "Next" through the settings, then "Perform backup". When done, click "Download" to save the .mbz file to your computer.
Section 9 of 10
Publishing Your Course
Final checklist, making the course visible to students, and verifying the student experience.
Pre-Launch Checklist
Click each item to mark it complete before publishing:
- Course name, short name, and description are complete and professional
- Course thumbnail image uploaded (1200×675px minimum)
- All sections have been named (not just "Topic 1", "Topic 2")
- All files, videos, and resources uploaded and accessible
- All quizzes tested — questions, answers, and grading verified
- Enrollment method configured (self-enrollment or manual)
- Course completion criteria defined (if issuing certificates)
- Certificate activity set up and tested with dummy submission
- All dates correct: start date, quiz open/close, assignment due dates
- Course tested in "Student view" (Switch role to Student)
Making the Course Visible — Go Live
01
Gear Icon → "Edit Settings"
On your course page, click the Gear ⚙ icon then "Edit settings".
02
Set Course Visibility to "Show"
In the General section, find "Course visibility" and change the dropdown from "Hide" to "Show".
03
Click "Save and Display"
Your course is now LIVE on VTE. Students can find and enroll in it through the course catalogue at vte.pkcert.gov.pk/course
Test as a Student First
Use Gear icon → "Switch role to..." → "Student" to see exactly what your students will see. Test all links, quizzes, and downloads before announcing the course. Click "Return to my normal role" when done.
Section 10 of 10
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
Solutions to common problems, best practice tips, and support contacts.
Common Issues & Solutions
Cannot see "Create course" button
Your account does not have Course Creator or Admin role. Email info@pkcert.gov.pk with your username and role request. The admin will upgrade your permissions.
Students cannot find the course
Check: (1) Course visibility is set to "Show" in Edit Settings; (2) Students are enrolled; (3) Course start date hasn't been set to a future date; (4) Students are searching with the correct course name.
File upload fails or is too slow
VTE's default file size limit is 500MB. Compress large video files before uploading (use HandBrake for MP4). For large course videos, upload to YouTube as unlisted and add a URL activity instead. Check your internet connection stability.
Quiz not appearing to students
Check: (1) The quiz activity is not hidden (3-dot menu → Show); (2) Quiz open date is not set to a future date; (3) The entire section is not hidden; (4) Student has completed any required prerequisite activities.
Images not showing in Page content
Do not copy-paste images from external sites. Use the built-in image tool in the rich text editor (Insert → Image). Upload the image directly to the VTE file system. External URLs may break if the source site changes.
"Turn editing on" button is missing
You don't have teacher/editing rights for this specific course. Ask the site admin to verify your Teacher role assignment for this course. Your general account might have Teacher role but not be assigned to this particular course.
Students not receiving VTE notification emails
Check: (1) Students have correct email addresses in their profiles; (2) Ask students to check spam/junk folders; (3) Notifications must be enabled in student profile settings (Preferences → Notification preferences).
Course appears blank to enrolled students
Check: (1) Individual content items are hidden (3-dot → Show); (2) Course sections are hidden (Section gear → Show section); (3) Course visibility is "Hide" at the course level; (4) Student access dates haven't started yet.
Best Practices for Course Design
- Use consistent naming: "Module X — Topic Name" for all sections
- Keep videos under 10 minutes for better student engagement
- Always include a Module 0 / Introduction section with a welcome message
- Set up course completion tracking and link it to certificate issuance
- Back up the course monthly using VTE's built-in Backup feature
- Use meaningful file names: "VTE-Module1-Intro.pdf" not "document.pdf"
- Test all quizzes yourself before making them available to students
- Add a Resources section for reference materials students can access anytime
Getting Help & Support
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| info@pkcert.gov.pk | |
| Phone | +92-51-11162378 |
| Office Address | L-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| VTE Platform | https://vte.pkcert.gov.pk |
| Official VTE Docs | # |
🎉
You've Completed the VTE Course Creation Guide!
You now have all the knowledge needed to create, configure, publish, and manage professional cybersecurity courses on the VTE platform.
Open VTE Platform