Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh:
In a significant boost to aviation education in central India, Shri Inder Singh Parmar, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Higher Education, Madhya Pradesh, visited the Aviation Wing at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya (MGCGV) and reviewed the progress of aviation and drone training initiatives being developed at the university.
During his visit, Mr. Jaidev Yogesh Tamrakar, Director of AirDivit Udan Academy, briefed the Hon’ble Minister about the vision and scale of the project. He explained that the aviation training initiative being implemented at MGCGV is one of the first of its kind in India, particularly designed to create aviation career opportunities for students from rural and semi-urban regions.
He highlighted that this initiative will help the university secure a significant place on the global aviation education map, while also opening golden opportunities for youth from the rural belt to build successful careers in the rapidly growing aviation industry.
The Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya informed the Hon’ble Minister that the university is currently running BBA in Airport Ground Operations and BBA in Aviation Hospitality, which have already attracted strong interest from students. He further shared that the university is planning to introduce several short-term job-oriented programs for different aviation sectors in the coming academic sessions.
Mrs. Smriti Bhambra, Head of Department – Aviation Wing, presented an overview of the academic roadmap for the upcoming year. She explained that the institute plans to introduce several short-term and long-term aviation programs, including one-year full-time diplomas in Aviation Hospitality, Drone Operations, and Airport Ground Operations, aimed at preparing students for immediate employment in the aviation ecosystem.
The Hon’ble Minister also visited the UAV Center of Drone Excellence, where HOD Anil Pal and Drone Coordinator Prachi Singh showcased the advanced drone training facilities. The delegation toured the drone laboratory, assembly and maintenance unit, and the drone simulation room. The Minister also experienced drone flying through the simulator and praised the state-of-the-art infrastructure and practical training facilities developed at the center.
Mr. Ananda Ganguly, HOD – Airport Operations and Placement, briefed the Minister about the training modules related to airport ground and ramp operations and highlighted the growing demand for skilled manpower in airport services across India. He also shared a remarkable achievement that approximately 20% of students from the first batch of the three-year course have already been placed within just seven months of the program.
Mr. Jagrat Kapoor, Director of AirDivit Udan Academy, informed the Hon’ble Minister that the academy has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) to introduce online and hybrid training programs in aviation and drone technology. He also proposed the creation of a tri-party collaboration model, where AASSC and Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya will jointly design industry-aligned degree, diploma, and postgraduate programs, while AirDivit Udan Academy will implement and deliver the training programs.
Expressing his appreciation for the initiative, Hon’ble Minister Inder Singh Parmar said he was pleased to see such a forward-looking project being developed at the university. He emphasized that MGCGV should emerge as a national model for aviation training in India.
The Minister also suggested establishing a “Train the Trainer” wing at the university to prepare skilled aviation instructors for the country. He further assured that the Madhya Pradesh Government and the MP Skill Development Council would explore collaboration with the university and AASSC to expand this model across other universities and colleges in the state.
In addition, the Minister assured that the government would explore scholarship opportunities for short-term aviation programs, ensuring that students from rural India can afford these courses and access employment opportunities in the aviation sector.
The visit marked a significant step toward making Chitrakoot an emerging hub for aviation and drone education, bringing global career opportunities closer to the youth of rural India.
