Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 24: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and NIELIT Srinagar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a six-month certificate course in drone technology and a DGCA-certified drone training center.
The signing ceremony took place in Srinagar with Tulika Pandey, Group Coordinator and Scientist-G of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Dr M M Tripathi, Director General of NIELIT and Vice Chancellor of NIELIT Deemed-to-be University, in attendance.
The MoU was signed in presence of representatives from both institutions. NIT Srinagar was represented by Prof Atikur Rehman (Registrar), Prof Sheikh Nazir Ahmed (Mechanical Engineering), Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran (Incharge Drone Lab-Mechanical Engineering), and Mohammad Hazik (Assistant Registrar, Director’s Office | Legal). NIELIT Srinagar was represented by Ashaq Hussain Dar, Director Incharge of NIELIT J&K, and Dr Ummer Iqbal, Scientist-D.
The partnership will establish a six-month certification program in drone technology and a joint DGCA-certified drone pilot training center. This center will provide industry-standard training compliant with DGCA guidelines, ensuring comprehensive and recognized certification for aspiring drone pilots.
A collaborative six-month certificate course on UAV/Drone technology, titled “SwaYaan,” will also be launched under MeitY’s national “Capacity Building for Human Resource Development in Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Drone & Related Technology” initiative. SwaYaan aims to develop and strengthen India’s UAS/Drone ecosystem.
The six-month certificate course will focus on artificial intelligence and security in drone technology, offering an integrated curriculum designed to equip participants with advanced skills in these critical areas.
The program will combine theoretical knowledge and practical training to bridge the gap between academia and industry, enhancing the employability of students in the region.
Institute’s Registrar Prof Atikur Rehman said that the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT Srinagar will offer the six-month certification course for people across the globe to enroll and that electives will be available to B Tech students from any discipline as an open elective.
“The course’s industrial component will be integrated with student internships, further enhancing job opportunities for local youth. The future is with drones, so it is our responsibility to engage the youth with this leading technology,” he said.
Director General, NIELIT, Dr M M Tripathi emphasized that this initiative sets a new benchmark in drone training and the collaboration with NIT Srinagar will empower the next generation of drone professionals to meet rigorous industry standards.
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