TEZPUR, 16 Sep: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and the Indian Army's 4 Corps (Gajraj Corps) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen army-academia partnership here on Wednesday.

The MoU seeks to promote academic engagement, experiential learning, knowledge exchange and greater interaction between students and the armed forces. The initiative is also aimed at providing students with wider exposure to the strategic, socio-cultural and developmental dimensions of the Northeast, according to an RGU release.

The programme also witnessed simultaneous signing of the MoUs between the Gajraj Corps and two other prominent universities in Assam-the Gauhati University and the Tezpur University.

Speaking on the occasion, RGU vice-chancellor prof. Shivaraj described the MoU as an important milestone in strengthening institutional collaboration.

"Universities must provide students not only with academic knowledge but also with wider perspectives and meaningful real-world experiences. This partnership will create valuable opportunities for our students to learn, engage and understand the larger responsibilities of nation-building," the VC said.

Gauhati University vice-chancellor prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta said that sustained interaction between the Army and universities can contribute significantly to developing strategic awareness and a deeper understanding of the Northeast.

"Academic institutions and the armed forces can work together to create informed, responsible and socially conscious young citizens. Such engagements can also help students appreciate the rich socio-cultural and strategic significance of the region, while realising the set parameters of the NEP-2020," he said.

Tezpur University vice-chancellor prof.Amarendra Kumar Das emphasized the importance of creating platforms for meaningful interaction between students and institutions engaged in different dimensions of nation-building.

"Collaborations of this nature broaden the horizons of students by connecting academic learning with ground realities. Stronger Army-Academia partnerships can contribute to knowledge sharing, leadership development and a deeper understanding of the Northeast," prof. Das said.

General Officer Commanding of Gajraj Corps Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla said that greater interaction between the Army and academic institutions would help young minds develop a better understanding of the region and the challenges associated with its security and development.

"The Armed Forces and academia have complementary roles in nation-building, and such engagements provide an opportunity to inspire and prepare our youth for responsible citizenship and service to the nation," he said.

RGU registrar N.T Rikam expressed hope that the MoU would provide a framework for sustained engagement between RGU and the Indian Army, opening avenues for academic interaction, experiential learning, leadership development and greater understanding between the armed forces and the academic community. He said the broad aim of the MoU is to establish a collaborative framework between the Indian Army and RGU for promoting academic learning in diverse subjects, research, field studies visits to institutions by internship programmes, grooming up for career in Armed and Para Military Forces, character building, thereby contributing to national security and development, social harmony and national integration.

On the sideline of the MoU signing ceremony, RGU joint registrar  David Pertin opined that the association between Indian Army and the three institutes of higher learning will pave the way for bridging the gaps.

He further informed that the basic objective of the MoU is to strengthen the mutual intent for academic collaboration between the two for academic and technical advancement and progression to collaboratively enhance the capability of all ranks of Indian Army, veterans, wards of Veer Naris and personnel sponsored by the Indian Army and the students of the University along with the faculty in diverse fields for effective contribution towards the National Vision of ViksitBharat@2047 as a whole of society approach.

As an important component of the engagement, the participating students from the three universities were subsequently flagged off for a forward area tour under the Gajraj Corps' "Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan" initiatives, providing them an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the operational environment and the lives and responsibilities of personnel serving in forward areas.

In a four day long visiting tour programme, the selected 30 students and their respective teacher escorts will visit Missamari (Assam), Bumla and Tawang area in Arunachal Pradesh and visit important places like the Drone Nursery, Subedar Joginder Singh War Memorial, Holy Water Fall, etc.

Among others, the nodal officer of RGU Arvind Kumar Kushwaha, assistant professor in NSS, and others were also present.