India’s Defence Minister AK Antony today cautioned that the global security environment continues to be a cause for concern and the situation in the neighbourhood poses various challenges. Inaugurating a joint venture project between Indian Army and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) ‘Gyandeep Centre of Excellence’ in New Delhi, he emphasized the need to strengthen the internal fabric of the society and nation to generate more strength to meet such challenges.
“Our Armed Forces has given a good account of themselves during external aggression, or internal strife. These veterans must be integrated into the society, as they could no doubt continue to work with the same dedication and commitment that they displayed as members of our Armed Forces,” he said.
Commending the Gyandeep programme, he said that empowerment of soldiers is an important issue that must be addressed and monitored at all levels on a regular basis. Soldier’s empowerment will turn a new page as a result of the collaborative initiative between the Indian Army and IGNOU Gyandeep that has resulted in setting up a centre of excellence, he added.
Antony said that today soldiers are well educated and technology savvy. “The effort at empowerment of soldiers will really go a long way in improving the gross enrolment ratio in the country.” He further said, “This initiative will further enhance the professional competence of serving soldiers. It will also provide them second career alternatives, once they retire.”
The Indian Army has over the last two years embarked upon an ambitions initiative for empowerment of its cadre. The frontrunner in the series is ‘Gyandeep’ with Indira Gandhi National Open University for certification of in ‘service training’ by IGNOU. Gyandeep was dedicated to the nation by the President of India on 19 Nov 2009.
The objectives of this Centre of Excellence would be to act as an interface between the Indian Army-IGNOU Community Colleges, other universities, promotion of educational facilities for the Army personnel by developing compatible and new curriculum as also promotion of job opportunities for retiring Army personnel. The Centre of Excellence will also facilitate and promote research at IGNOU and other affiliated educational institutions.
Chief of the Army Staff Gen VK Singh, Vice Chancellor (IGNOU), Prof VN Rajasekharan Pillai and Adjutant General Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal also addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of the programme for army personnel.