CUK plans it big for job aspirants in armed forces

Young men from the North Karnataka districts are increasingly being drawn towards the Defence services. However, many of them don’t make the cut, given the severe competition from other states and their own unpreparedness.

To give such aspirants a better chance, the Central University of Karnataka (CUK), Kalaburagi, has proposed to train these individuals, with the assistance of the recruitment selection boards of the Defence forces.

The varsity has also decided to start certificate and diploma programmes in defence studies for those men who have retired from the services, to enhance their job potential.
Further, the varsity plans to begin degree, master degree and PhD programmes in Defence and strategic studies in National Security as per the directive of the University Grants Commission (UGC), by the next academic year.

CUK vice-chancellor Maheshwaraiah said the Academic Council of the varsity took a decision to implement these programmes at its meeting held on January 25. Following this, the varsity’s professor in Finance, M V Alagawadi, who was previously a joint director in the Ministry of Defence, met with the vice-chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force to explore the possibilities of signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Alagawadi said the vice-chiefs were eager to tie up with CUK to impart training through the proposed programmes.

Despite receiving rigorous technical training when in the force, the men are not certified, making it difficult for them to get jobs once they are out of service.

“A large chunk of non-officers in the services retire as early as 35 years of age. However, without a certificate they stand no chance in the job market. The vice-chiefs too agreed that there is a dire need for such programmes. The Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi is already in the advanced stages of finalising the MoU. CUK will fashion its MoU on similar lines,” Alagawadi said.

PhD options
CUK will begin with offering these programmes to the Air Force, given that the Training Command of the Indian Air Force is headquartered in Bengaluru.
Laying thrust on the PhD programmes, he said that there were very few officers from the State.

“When it comes to defence aspirants, many of them fail in the verbal and written exams. We want to invite the recruitment selection boards, which can train these aspirants for a period of one month, and prepare them for these exams.”