Itanagar: The Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and the Indian Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academia-military engagement and promote experiential learning, knowledge exchange and greater interaction between students and the armed forces, an RGU statement said.
The MoU was signed between RGU and Headquarters 4 Corps (Gajraj Corps) at Tezpur in Assam. Similar agreements were simultaneously signed by Gauhati University and Tezpur University with the Gajraj Corps.
The collaboration seeks to expose students to the strategic, socio-cultural and developmental dimensions of the Northeast while creating opportunities for academic interaction, research, field studies, internships and leadership development.
RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Shivaraj termed the agreement an important milestone in institutional collaboration.
“Universities must provide students not only with academic knowledge but also with wider perspectives and meaningful real-world experiences,” he said, adding that the partnership would help students understand their larger responsibilities in nation-building.
Gajraj Corps General Officer Commanding Lt Gen Neeraj Shukla said greater interaction between the Army and academic institutions would help young people better understand the region and challenges related to its security and development.
“The Armed Forces and academia have complementary roles in nation-building,” he said.
RGU registrar Dr N T Rikam said the agreement would also facilitate career grooming for the armed and paramilitary forces, character building and initiatives contributing to national security, social harmony and national integration.
Following the signing ceremony, 30 students from the three universities, accompanied by teacher escorts, were flagged off on a four-day forward-area tour under the Gajraj Corps’ “Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan” initiative.
The students will visit Missamari in Assam and Bum La and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, besides the Subedar Joginder Singh War Memorial and other places, to gain first-hand exposure to the operational environment and the lives of personnel serving in forward areas. PTI
