Gandhinagar
Wednesday, 10 August 2022
On Wednesday, 10 August 2022, the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) welcomed the Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force, ACM VR Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC. The air officer led a delegation of officers of the Indian Air Force to the RRU.
It is a step toward formalising firm relations between technology and innovation-driven fighting force and a research-driven institution of higher learning. In line with the TREE vision of excellence of the RRU, it shall be cooperating with the IAF on training, research, education and extension activities. It will also enable the RRU to accredit and certify the training and human resource development carried out at the Indian Air Force’s training establishment and give degrees and diplomas to qualifying air warriors.
ACM VR Chaudhary and Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel addressed the audience composed of Air Warriors of the IAF, faculty and students of RRU and NCC cadets, on this momentous occasion. Also there was presence of Air Marshal Vikram Singh, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, Lt Gen Asit Mistry, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd), Director, School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies, RRU, Mr. Ajay Rajgor, Registrar i/c, RRU, Dr. Akshat Mehta, Dean, RRU, Gp Capt Shakti Sharma and Wg. Cdr. A. Vaidyanathan.
The delegation also visited the School of Information Technology, AI & Cyber Security (SITAICS) of RRU and was briefed about research and development activities currently underway at the various schools of RRU.
During the visit of CAS, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Air Force and RRU to enable pursuit of academics by Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in various contemporary subjects, besides promoting R&D in niche areas of mutual interest. The MoU was signed by Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sharma, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Education) and Dr. Anand Kumar Tripathi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, RRU, with the Vice Chancellor, RRU, Prof (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel being in attendance.
The collaboration between RRU and IAF will facilitate IAF personnel to undertake various courses in Defence and Strategic Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Cyber Security, Applied Science, Engineering & Technology and Foreign Languages. The MoU will promote R&D in the field of National and Internal Security. The University will also extend accreditation to IAF training establishments.
On this occasion, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary, CAS said, “There is an evolving need to upgrade and fine-tune education and training pattern of military officers in the face of changing security dynamics”.
He further said “While conventional domains of conflict have consistently been evolving, new, non-kinetic and non-lethal means of warfare are also being used”.
Knowledge is becoming a central resource in the information age, and strategy and geopolitics are being increasingly affected by information, said the CAS.
“Technology, training and education are vital dimension of preparing a military officer in the future war,” Chaudhari said.
“We need to make a roadmap for strengthening training programmes and research, stimulating innovation and supporting incubation of emerging technologies,” added the CAS.
The collaboration will facilitate IAF personnel to undertake various courses in Defence and Strategic Studies, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Applied Science, Engineering and Technology and Foreign Languages.
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of RRU, Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel said, “today’s MoU is a step towards the creation of a symbiotic relationship between the two dynamic organisations. The Indian Air Force is a technology and innovation-driven force. The RRU prides itself on its status as a research-driven university. Effective research is the backbone of innovation. Thus it is no wonder, that the two organisations have embarked on a journey together”.
He further stated about the RRU’s TREE model, i.e., Training, Research, Education and Extension shall remain the focus areas of future cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the RRU.
Marching in stride with the armed forces of the nation upholding the motto “Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam”, RRU wishes to make its mark on the security governance of the nation. In line with the Indian Air Force’s ethos of “people first, mission always” RRU is committed to the betterment of the most important link of the security architecture, he said.
Rashtriya Raksha University, an institution of National Importance, the pioneering National Security and Police University of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, is established by the Indian Parliament Act No. 31, the Rashtriya Raksha University Act of 2020. The University aims to become an academic-research-training ecosystem for national security and police. Its endeavours focus on highly professional national security, police education, research, and training through its qualified civilian and security faculty, committed human resources, motivated participants and students, intellectually stimulating and professionally disciplined environment, and world-wide network sharing and exchange.
It aims at providing security and strategic education in the contemporary and futuristic security and strategic studies and interdisciplinary areas. The University contributes to the vision of an India of Peace, Prosperity and Stable World Alliance with grand strategic co-operation between like-minded nations and promoting greater understanding between internal security officers, military and paramilitary forces, diplomats, civil servants, and civilians to promote the cause of the Nation. It adopts a two-tier approach, at national and international levels, in its education, research and training, and extension in order to achieve capabilities to respond to the needs, expectations, and
aspirations of the security and strategic institutions and forces as well as law-making, governance, judiciary, economy (agriculture-manufacturing-service sectors) and the civil society organizations.
