Srinagar, May 03: High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jammu University to provide postgraduate, undergraduate and certificate courses to the officers and soldiers who undergo rigorous training at HAWS. The MoU also aims to augment the skills achieved by troops in rescue operations.
High Altitude Warfare School Gulmarg, is a premier Institute of Indian Army since its inception in 1948. The school trains more than 1400 personnel of the Indian Army, CRPF, BSF and friendly foreign countries in mountain and winter warfare annually. The training of troops at High Altitude Warfare School is considered one of the toughest in the world under inclement weather conditions with subzero temperatures. The trainees at High Altitude Warfare School known as “The White Devils” not only get trained for warfare in extremely harsh conditions but also learn to survive the Glaciers without any life support.
The training curriculum also includes programs for “Aid to Civil” authorities through rescue operations during avalanches and Landslides anywhere in the country. The troops are also trained to carry out disaster management so that in adverse times, they are the first to reach for assistance at remote locations during avalanches and landslides. The school is known for its rescue operations carried out to save lives of many Indian and foreign citizens and has won many laurels and gallantry awards. There is hardly any mountain warrior who has not been trained by HAWS.
The Commandant, HAWS, confirmed that this MoU is a landmark decision for technical advancement and progression of Army personnel in the discipline of high-altitude studies and disaster management in the mountainous terrain, a defence spokesperson said in a statement.
He said the MoU will also help enhance the capabilities of students of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in enhancing their capabilities in disaster management studies, particularly in mountainous, high altitude and glaciated regions with the expertise available with HAWS.
“MoU records mutual intent for academic and research collaboration between the HAWS and Jammu University for academic and technical advancement through UG & PG courses in Mountain Craft, Snow Craft, Rescue Operations and Disaster Management. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai, during the ceremony held at HAWS has said these programs jointly conducted by HAWS and Jammu University will impart special skills to the students which will help them in developing adventure sports in the Union Territory,” the spokesperson said.
