Indian Air Force and Institute of Defence Studies and Research (IDSR), an autonomous Institution of Gujarat University under the patronage of Government of Gujarat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU will enable Officers of IAF to undertake Doctoral Research, Post-Graduate Programme and Post Graduate Diploma covering various areas of interest that includes defence studies, defence management, national security, aerospace and aviation science and other areas of defence technology. The event held on a virtual platform was chaired by Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, Air Marshal R.J. Duckworth.
The MoU was signed by Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sharma, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Education) and Anju Sharma, Principal Secretary (Higher & Technical Education) to Government of Gujarat and Chairperson-IDSR. Prof Himanshu A Pandya, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University and Director-General IDSR, was also present on the occasion.
As part of Project Akashdeep, Indian Air Force has entered into such partnership with various prestigious academia to promote research by Officers and create a pool of think tanks with strategic knowledge and intellectual skills. The expertise of these officers would contribute towards formulation of sound strategic plan and policies in the advent of hybrid military operations.