Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Dec 13: A momentous development in the academic and security education landscape of Ladakh took place at Lok Niwas, Leh, where Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) Gujarat and the University of Ladakh (UOL) formally executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Kavinder Gupta, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
This collaboration signifies a major stride toward strengthening regional educational frameworks, advancing national security studies, and promoting capacity-building initiatives tailored to the unique socio-strategic requirements of the Ladakh region.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both institutions. Representing UOL were Prof Dr Saket Khushwah, Vice Chancellor; Nawang Tundup, Registrar; and Dr Subrat Sharma, Dean of Academic Affairs. RRU was represented by Dr Mahesh A Tripathi, Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Campus, and Aman Kumar Thakur, Research Officer. Additionally, Prof Bimal N Patel, Vice Chancellor of RRU, joined the ceremony in virtual mode.
During the interaction between the two parties, the LG acknowledged that Ladakh, owing to its strategic geographical location, border sensitivities, and unique environmental conditions, requires specialised educational and training interventions that align with both local needs and national priorities.
A joint delegation comprising officials from RRU and UOL recently met with senior officers of 1 Corps (Headquarters 72 Artillery Brigade) to explore possible areas of cooperation. During this meeting, RRU proposed a comprehensive program focusing on mental fitness, psychological resilience, and emotional well-being for troops posted in harsh and high-altitude operational environments such as Ladakh.
Discussions were also held about implementing similar programs with the 14 Corps of the Indian Army and with Ladakh Police.
Beyond defence cooperation, the MoU lays the foundation for a wide array of academic collaborations between the two institutions.
An important component of the collaborative framework is the emphasis on student empowerment through targeted capacity-building initiatives. The collaboration will also explore opportunities for high-altitude research in psychology, physiology, strategic studies, environmental security, and disaster resilience, areas where Ladakh’s unique geography provides unparalleled opportunities for academic inquiry.
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