Maha open university to train defence personnel

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has signed an MoU with the Defence services to train armymenofficers working on the border through the distance mode of education.

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has signed an MoU with the Defence services to train armymenofficers working on the border through the distance mode of education.

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The MoU was signed between Dr R Krishnakumar, vice chancellor of YCMOU and Lt General V K Chaturvedi, AVSM, PVSM, SM, director general of Manpower Planning and Personnel Services, Shrinivas Belsare, Head, Corporate Communications of YCMOU Mumbai office, said.

The university will offer courses for the Jawans and officers in all three services of the Defence forces with 44 new study centres being established all over the country besides the 3600 centres of the University in Maharashtra.

A special B.Ed programme will be launched for the war widows so that they can be employed respectably and a special BA, BCom and MBA programme will be developed according to the needs of the Defence services, Krishnakumar said.

A special BSc programme will also be developed for the children of the Defence personnel to prepare them face the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam to join the Services.

"It is observed that after a lifetime of service for the nation the jawans, who are highly respected by all citizens, feel erosion in their self-esteem when they have to work as 'watchmen' or 'security guards' in some organisation after retirement from the services.

"This is because of their inadequate qualifications. They never get an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills while working under harsh conditions. The conventional system of eudcation can not reach these most unreached sections of our society. YCMOU, with its aim to 'reach the unreached' has deliberately developed these programmes," he said.

"The YCMOU will provide books specially written for self-study and the distance mode, free of cost and enhance the knowledge and skills of the personnel," he said.