Amity University, manufacturing firm host dialogue on defence technology; tie up on academics

NEW DELHI: Amity University, in collaboration with Bharat Forge Ltd, organized “Bhartiya Raksha Vimarsha” (Indian Defence Dialogue) on the theme “Defence Technology & Integrated Joint Warfighting Perspective”. The two signed an agreement, on the occasion, to strengthen the industry-academia partnership in the defense sector.

During the one-day event, sessions on topics such as, “The Transforming Landscape of Warfare: Gaining Insight into the Dynamic Changes” and “The Technological Revolution: Analysing the effects on Military Operations”, were conducted.

Padma Bhushan Baba Kalyani, chairman and managing director of Bharat Forge Ltd was the chief guest. He said, “Amity University has established itself as a world-renowned institution known for its academic excellence and research initiatives. In 2047, India will become Viksit Bharat and it is in our DNA to make that happen. Today there are round 31 countries who are at war with each other, and defence is extremely important for the safety and security of a country but also for developing technology. Defence should not be driven by policy and procedures and should always be driven by technology.”

Defining “Aatm Nirbharta” or self-reliance as designing and developing your own products, he said that India needs to develop its own product, in order to become self-reliant. “India has many advantages over other countries since the average population of India is around twenty-nine years old, which is very young as compared to western countries. Therefore, the opportunities are huge and unlimited for the younger generation provided they use it to the fullest,” he revered.

Defence sector

The MD added that all big defense manufacturers are being replaced by young startups and the whole world is moving towards AI. Once Quantum Computing and AI are rigorously used in the manufacturing industry, there will be unlimited opportunities for India, he said. “These opportunities are rare and not many countries have it, therefore, it is up to us to make the most of these opportunities and make India technologically the most advanced country, in defence sector as well,” the chief guest further stated.

Addressing the gathering, Atul Chauhan, chancellor Amity University asserted, “We are extremely grateful to Shri Baba Kalyani, Chairman and MD Bharat Forge Ltd. to share his inspirational success story with the students. The defence industry sector of India is a strategically important sector in India and Amity University was the first university to start M. Tech in Defence Technology. The current generation is very fortunate to be growing up in times, when the future belongs to India and the whole world is looking towards our country. The future lies in the hands of our young transformational leaders who are responsible for making their country the most developed country in the world.”

Highlighting the significance of the agreement, professor Balvinder Shukla, vice-chancellor stated, “Amity University has the great mission of transforming the world through education. It is extremely crucial to have a strong industry-academia collaboration and the curriculum needs to be designed in line with the industry requirements. Through this partnership, we aim to train the students of Defence Technology and the MoU is not a ceremony but a commitment to work towards fulfilling the vision of Viksit Bharat.”

The defence experts including Air Marshal Anil Chopra, former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi, Major General BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar, Director, United Services Institute of India (USI), Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, AVSM, VSM** (Retd), former Director Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), Lt Gen Dushyant Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Director General Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), Dr Swasti Rao, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA), amongst many others elucidated on significant contextual issues.

The event was attended by faculty, students and PhD scholars from Amity Universities, tri services institutions, various dignitaries, senior veterans from the armed forces and other eminent citizens.