New Delhi: On Monday i.e. December 20, 2010, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has signed an agreement with Indian Air Force (IAF) to facilitate nearly 100000 airmen to complete their graduation in any stream including arts, science, business and music. As per sources, the IGNOU-IAF project will be called as Akashdeep.
An IAF spokesperson said that according to Akashdeep (IGNOU-IAF Project), the training institutes will be registered as community colleges and personnel would be able to obtain a Bachelor's degree within 8-13 years of their service. As per sources, IGNOU Vice Chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai and Air Officer-In-Charge Personnel Air Marshal K J Mathews signed the agreement.
According to the agreement, two modules of the Joint Basic Phase Training will facilitate airmen to earn credit points. These points would be transferred to IGNOU for completing their certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in arts, science, commerce, business administration, hotel management, hospitality services, medical services, Para-medical sciences, office management, automobile trade performing skill, music and instrument music streams.
IAF spokesperson said that subsequent to this, an airman can enroll for a one-year distance learning programme with IGNOU leading to award of bachelor's degree. The spokesperson added that the launch of the project will immediately benefit nearly 100000 IAF personnel who will, on completion of the syllabus, receive a degree from the university that has the potential to transform their post-retirement life besides helping them prepare for competitive jobs.
Moreover, the IAF spokesperson said that better qualified human resource will help the IAF in gainful utilization of its resources. In addition, the spokesperson told that the programme, while validating IAF training curriculum is also one among the several welfare measures for its personnel. Project Akashdeep also signifies the IAF's association with the sky and its quest for knowledge, spokesperson added.
