Mangaluru: The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, conducted its first outdoor trek under the NITK Academy for Defence, Adventure and Leadership (NADAL) minor degree programme ‘Resilient Leadership’, marking the start of experiential training activities for students.Held recently at Mudigere, the trek saw the participation of 36 students and was designed to combine physical endurance, teamwork and environmental awareness. The initiative reflects the broader objectives of NADAL, which aims to develop students into physically strong, mentally resilient and ethically grounded individuals through defence preparedness, adventure education and leadership training.Student participant Kruthika CS described the experience as both demanding and rewarding. “The trek was both challenging and enriching, offering opportunities to learn about the natural environment and to reflect on the experience as a whole,” she said.NADAL was established to provide holistic and experiential education that promotes discipline, courage, teamwork and a spirit of service. Its minor degree programme, ‘Resilient Leadership’, is offered to BTech students and includes five courses focused on defence awareness, survival skills, strategic leadership, adventure sports and armed forces leadership.The programme blends classroom learning with practical activities such as trekking, mountaineering, water sports, survival drills and leadership boot camps. With an intake of up to 60 students per batch, including reserved seats for girls, the initiative seeks to ensure inclusive participation while exposing students to defence experts, sports professionals and industry leaders.The Mudigere trek is the first in a series of outdoor learning activities aimed at preparing students to respond to national, social and environmental challenges with resilience and integrity, stated a release from the NITK.
