Commodore Mathew visits HPU, discusses strengthening academic-defence collaboration

Commodore Varghese Mathew from the Union Ministry of Defence visited Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) here and interacted with Vice-Chancellor Mahavir Singh regarding strengthening academic and defence collaboration, promoting interdisciplinary research and exploring potential partnerships in the areas of strategic and technological significance.

The Vice-Chancellor assured Commodore Mathew of full institutional support for the proposed collaborations and expressed the university’s readiness to work closely with the Union Ministry of Defence. He apprised Commodore Mathew about the Himalayan Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, which was established recently and is actively engaged in advanced research and capacity building in disaster risk reduction and resilience.

Besides, Commodore Mathew also engaged in a series of academic interactions with the university faculty members, research scholars and the university leadership. He first interacted with the university members at the Department of Environmental Science and delivered an address on the theme “Development of Weather Modification Technology and Capabilities for National Progress and Citizens’ Prosperity” there. The session highlighted the scientific, technological and strategic dimensions of weather modification, climate resilience and their potential implications for sustainable development. Mahinder Singh Thakur, Chairman of the department, chaired the interaction while faculty members and research scholars actively participated in the deliberations.

Commodore Mathew also interacted with the faculty members of the University Institute of Technology (UIT), departments of Journalism, Physics, Forensic Science and Geography. The discussions centered on technological innovation, geospatial applications, communication strategies and scientific research in the context of national development and security.