New Delhi, Sep. 4 (ANI): A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Indian Army and Indira Gandhi National Open University to meet the twin objectives of empowering soldiers educationally and providing an opportunity for a second career option.

The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Mukesh Sabharwal Adjutant General and IGNOU Vice Chancellor Professor VN Rajasekharan Pillai in the presence of Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor at South Block today.

The MoU seeks to confer educational certification to soldiers of the Indian Army, within the parameters laid down by IGNOU for Community Colleges, recognizing the ‘in-service’ training done by them; within the broad frame work set out by IGNOU.

IGNOU will register Regimental Training Centres/Human Resource Development Centres of the Indian Army and Army Schools of Instructions as ‘Community Colleges’.

The Army-IGNOU Community Colleges will function as autonomous bodies conducting examinations and their courses as before.

Credits from such approved courses will be transferred to the programme and will count towards the desired credits to be earned for an associate degree.

Certain credits are to be earned for a Graduation Degree which would be from approved elective courses offered by IGNOU or the Army to be undertaken after grant of an Associate Degree.

Approval of these courses with credit ratings would be accorded and reviewed by the ‘Army-IGNOU Academic Committee’ at regular intervals.

With the signing of the MOU with IGNOU leading towards award of academic diploma/associate degree and Graduation Degree to soldiers, a major step forward has been taken to empower the soldier to live a life of dignity and confidence after he leaves the service for a second career.

The project has been named as ‘Gyan Deep’ signifying knowledge. (ANI)