The Virtual Institute works with a global network of universities, mainly in developing countries, to enhance their capacities to conduct trade-related teaching and research, which respond to the needs of policy makers and other relevant stakeholders in their countries.

The Virtual Institute supports universities around the world working in the areas of trade, investment and development through:

• providing updated expert information and resources that the universities can use in their teaching and research - such resources are available in the Vi online library (section Resources of the Vi site)
  
• developing and sharing teaching materials tailored to the university context - these materials are available to Vi university members online (section Training Materials of the Vi site)
  
• conducting professional development workshops for academics focusing on teaching and research of topics such as Foreign Direct Investment; Commodities production and trade; or Trade data analysis
  
• organizing tailor-made training programmes for post-graduate students at Vi member universities in the framework of study tours to Geneva-based international organizations
  
• providing curricula advice and support to course delivery to Vi university members
  
• facilitating exchanges and cooperation between universities
  
• supporting a community of practice in trade teaching and research
  
• promoting dialogue between the trade policy community and academia in order to enhance the impact of academic work.

This network approach allows members to use and adapt resources to suit their needs and therefore encourages ownership by participants.