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Rashtriya Raksha University ITEC Programme Brings Global Experts

Rashtriya Raksha University Hosts International Disaster Risk and Geoinformatics Training Under MEA’s ITEC Programme

Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gujarat has brought together government officials, academics and professionals from 14 countries for a two-week international training programme focused on geoinformatics, disaster risk reduction and national security. The programme, running from 6 to 17 July 2026, is being organised under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The training is being conducted by the Centre of Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) under the School of Internal Security and SMART Policing (SISSP) in partnership with the University’s International Cooperation and Relations Branch (ICRB). The initiative reflects India’s continued investment in sharing technical knowledge with partner nations through capacity-building programmes.

Participants have travelled from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Syria and Tanzania, representing Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Their participation illustrates the wide international reach of the ITEC programme, which has become one of India’s long-running development cooperation initiatives. Since its launch in 1964, ITEC has trained thousands of government officials, professionals and public sector employees from partner countries in fields ranging from information technology and public administration to disaster management and security.

The opening session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Kalpesh H. Wandra, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, he said, “It’s high time to leverage technologies like geoinformatics for disaster risk reduction.” The event was attended by Lt (Dr.) Ruchika Singla, Director of SISSP, and Mr Ravish Shah, Director of ICRB, while Dr Subhajit Bandopadhyay, the programme coordinator, delivered the vote of thanks.

The course has been designed to help participants understand how geospatial technologies can improve disaster planning and support national security. It examines the links between natural hazards, climate change, governance and security, areas that are receiving increasing attention from governments around the world as extreme weather events become more frequent and urban populations continue to grow.

Geoinformatics combines geographic information systems (GIS), satellite imagery, remote sensing, mapping and data analysis to help governments make informed decisions. These tools are widely used to identify flood-prone areas, monitor forest fires, assess earthquake damage, track cyclones and support emergency response teams. During disasters, accurate location-based information helps authorities allocate rescue teams, restore essential services and plan recovery work more effectively.

India has steadily expanded the use of geospatial technology during major disasters. Satellite data from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has supported flood mapping, cyclone tracking and damage assessment in several states. The country has also modernised its disaster management system through the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and stronger coordination between scientific institutions and emergency agencies.

According to the organisers, the training programme aims to improve participants’ ability to apply geospatial technologies in disaster preparedness and emergency response, understand the relationship between climate risks, disasters and national security, develop strategies for risk-informed governance and resilience planning, and use technology-based approaches to strengthen public safety and community resilience.

Alongside classroom sessions, delegates will take part in field visits to several institutions involved in disaster management and scientific research in Gujarat. These include the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM), the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) and the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). The participants will also visit specialised laboratories and research facilities at Rashtriya Raksha University to observe India’s work in disaster resilience, emergency preparedness and security technologies.

These visits are expected to provide practical exposure beyond academic discussions. Institutions such as the State Emergency Operation Centre play an important role in coordinating responses during floods, cyclones and other emergencies, while the Institute of Seismological Research carries out earthquake monitoring and research in a state that has experienced major seismic events, including the devastating Bhuj earthquake of 2001.

One of the distinctive features of the programme is its multidisciplinary approach. Rather than examining disasters only from a humanitarian perspective, the course connects disaster science with security studies, governance and international cooperation. This broader approach reflects the growing recognition that disasters can affect economic stability, public services, infrastructure, migration and national security.

Climate change has added further urgency to these discussions. International organisations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly stressed that stronger disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure can reduce both human and economic losses. Countries are increasingly investing in early warning systems, digital mapping, climate adaptation and cross-border cooperation to improve their response to natural hazards.

The programme also supports India’s wider foreign policy objective of strengthening cooperation with developing nations through knowledge sharing. The organisers said the initiative reflects the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future,” a theme that has featured prominently in India’s international engagement in recent years.

Rashtriya Raksha University, established as an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament, has expanded its work in internal security, policing, forensic sciences, cyber security and disaster management. Through international collaborations, specialised training programmes and applied research, the university has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for professional education and policy discussions in security-related fields.

By bringing together participants from four regions of the world, the current ITEC programme offers an opportunity for professionals to exchange experiences, compare disaster management practices and explore how emerging technologies can support safer and more resilient societies. As climate-related risks continue to affect countries across continents, such international training initiatives are expected to remain an important part of building stronger preparedness and cooperation.