Dehradun: The first batch of 238 Agniveers with diplomas in defence and security management from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU) -- Uttarakhand’s lone central university -- passed out at an inaugural convocation ceremony at Lansdowne in Pauri Garhwal on Friday.
The flagship diploma programme, launched last year as a joint initiative of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment Centre (GRRC), Lansdowne, and HNBGU, has been designed to enhance the academic qualifications, professional competence and long-term employability of Agniveers.
MPS Bisht, chief coordinator of the programme and HOD, geology department, told TOI: “This initiative reflects the Army’s vision of creating a future-ready and skilled workforce by integrating military training with academic excellence. We first did a mapping of their curriculum with the certifications the university could provide, following which the final course outline was decided.”
Bisht added: “Replicating this programme at a national level has also been discussed with the Centre. Moreover, in the coming days, we will try and incorporate the Agniveers into our existing graduate programmes following the end of their service. Their certification credits will transfer to the graduate programmes in case they wish to pursue the graduation degrees.”
Officials further said the course has been designed to provide foundational knowledge in defence studies, security management, leadership, disaster response, communication skills and contemporary security challenges. The diploma would also strengthen the Agniveers’ professional capabilities during military service while providing a nationally recognised academic qualification to support higher education and career progression after their service term, the officials added.
Senior personnel from both GRRC and HNBGU were present on the occasion which also saw the recruits joining Garhwal Rifles. Brig Vinod Singh Negi, commandant, GRRC, reviewed the passing out parade.
