NDA draws up Vision 2022

One of the key changes is that the entire campus has been wired for computer networking – the academy is also in the process of procuring around 1,900 ‘thin client’ computers,which will be connected to a 3.2 terabyte server centre.

“We are in the process of changing from black board mode of teaching to e-learning. This conversion has already started and the rest of the process is expected to be completed in six months to a year,” said Dhowan.

Dhowan said that over the last year,the academic structure had also been tweaked to improve cadet performance in academics,physical training,as well as their leadership and communicative skills. Focus has also been laid on enhancing the knowledge of the cadets by introducing multidisciplinary course modules. The Academy is also focusing on improving the cadet proficiency in two key languages – English and Hindi. NDA cadets now have the option of learning four foreign languages – Russian,French,Chinese and Arabic. Over the last two years,the academy has massively upgraded its sports infrastructure and now has an Astrotruf for hockey,and synthetic basketball and tennis courts.

The commandant said that the NDA had renewed its commitment to “reduce,reuse and recycle”. The academy is in the process of carrying out a rainwater harvesting project and a proposal for a bio gas plant has been recently sanctioned. The institute also uses solar power and has increased its green cover,he said.

Meanwhile,a proposal to increase the student intake is also pending with the integrated defence staff. From the current capacity of 1,800 students the academy will have 1,920 students once the proposal is cleared,Dhowan said.