National Defence University, Pakistan

National Defence University
Urdu: جامعہ قومی دفاعِ پاکستان
Seal of the NDU
Former name
National Defence College
MottoArabic: عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ (al-Quran (30:96:5))
Motto in English
"taught man which he knew not"
TypeMilitary
Established28 May 1970; 54 years ago (1970-05-28)
Affiliation
Academic affiliation
Higher Education Commission
ChancellorPresident of Pakistan
PresidentLieutenant general Asif Ghafoor
Vice-presidentRear admiral Javaid Iqbal
DeanProfessor Dr. Arshi Saleem Hashmi
Students4,000
Undergraduates3000
Postgraduates500
100
Location
Islamabad
,
Islamabad Capital Territory
,
Pakistan
CampusUrban
LanguageEnglish, Urdu
ColorsGreen, White, Khaki
   
Websitewww.ndu.edu.pk

The National Defence University (NDU), formerly introduced as Army War Course (1963–70),[a] the National Defence College (1970–2007), is the military university of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan focused on military education and training for the armed forces, including Pakistan military forces and two hundred foreign participants.[1] Formerly established on 28 May 1970 at Rawalpindi, its academic principles are focused on command instructions, national security, military strategy, and war studies among other specified academic disciplines.[2][3] It is one of the oldest military education and training institutes in the country with additional enrollments reserved for the civil servants.[4]

Major general, then-general Abdul Hamid Khan served as its first commandant, while brigadier Muhammad Ahmed was appointed the first chief instructor.[2] The president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan serves its chancellor while the chief of staff recommends appointment and the removal of its president, usually a three star armed officer.[5][6] Nearly 44 years later of its establishment as Armed War Course, it was awarded the status of university after being recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan on 5 February 2007 while the former Armed War Course (later re-designated as Armed War Forces Course) became one of its components.[7][8]

History

[edit]

The origin of the National Defence University is historically associated with major general, the then lieutenant general, Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and Command and Staff College who introduced Army War Course on 1 May 1963 to Command and Staff College after he was asked in 1962 to establish a separate and a single purpose war course to that college. It initially comprised twelve participants (known as students and faculty members), including two from armed forces – one from navy and other from air force. With the continuation of war studies, its participants were increased to sixteen in 1965. However, staff college was left without war course faculty following the 1965 conflict between India and Pakistan. The discontinuation of the faculty gained attention of the authorities, and the National Defence College (NDC), a stand-alone institute was established on 28 May 1970 at Lalkurti area of Rawalpindi Cantonment. It was housed in the Ayub Hall of the old National Assembly Building.[2] The institute was later shifted to its permanent building where it worked for nearly 25 years.

During that 25 years, the college was re-designated multiple times, including in 1971 when the Army War Course was awarded the status of the Armed Forces War Course to serve for armed forces than only army. The number of faculty participants were increased from sixteen to twenty, with three officers from navy and air force.

To award the officers MSc degree in war studies, the prime minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto signed an order in 1975 to affiliate the NDC with Federal University of Islamabad (in modern-day Quaid-i-Azam University). Five years later of affiliation with Quaid university, military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the then 6th president of Pakistan signed an order in February 1980 to shift the college to the capital city Islamabad for its space expansion. Following that order, it was shifted to the new building on 17 August 1995.

The government of Pakistan upgraded it to university in 2007, while the Naval War College gained the status of Armed Forces War College, which is now a component of the National Defence University. As of March 2007, the NDU acts as a nation university in the country, and the two years later of its upgradation, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee redesignated both Army War Course, Armed Forces War Course, and National Defence Course faculties into one single component of the university, which is now known as National Security and War Course.[2]

Buildings and sites

[edit]
National Defence University building
E-9 Sector, Islamabad

Since its formation as a faculty and then college in Rawalpindi, it was shifted several times from one building to other, including the old national assembly near Rawalpindi Cantonment until it was permanently shifted to Islamabad in 1995. The main building is now located in Sector E-9, Islamabad near Margalla Hills.[1]

Emblem

[edit]

The emblem (generally identified as logo, although the official description of emblem do not mention "logo") of the NDU depicts the concept of national security, defence and ideological foundation of the organisation, consisting an Islamic shield with three-service colors, encircled by a black border with silver edges. It is surrounded by a golden wreath with a star and crescent presented on the top of emblem. It is placed on a green background, depicting the national color of Pakistan. The lower portion of the Islamic shield is occupied by the two swords placed in the form of crossed sword and a pen, which occupies the upper portion. The pen and crossed sword and their placements represent "honour, strength and achievement through learning".

The motto is inscribed inside the shield which is placed on top centre printed in gold letters.[9]

Composition

[edit]
Organizational structure of the National Defence University

The National Defence University consists two heads – the president of Pakistan who acts as chancellor and a three star military officers, usually a lieutenant general or a vice admiral who acts a president of the university, sometimes referred to as commandant university. The organisation consist four main faculties/branches such as Faculty of Security Studies (FSS), Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS), Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA), and National War Gaming Center (NWGC). The academic administration of FSS and FCS are headed by a dean.[10]

Faculty of Security Studies

[edit]

The National Security College, Armed Forces War College, and Allied Officers Division (AOD) are headed by two star officer that works under FSS faculty. Its academic discipline is focused on national security and its elements, in addition to military, operational, and nuclear strategies. It also involves in preparedness of command and staff assignments.[11]

Faculty of Contemporary Studies

[edit]

The FCS awards academic degrees to the participants. It includes five departments such as Leadership and Management Studies (LMS) – which awards bachelor's degree, master of philosophy, master's in project management, and doctor of philosophy. The Government and Public Policy (GPP) awards same degrees as to LMS, however, it is focused on government and public policy and also excludes master's in project management. The Strategic Studies (SS), International Relations (IR), and Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) award the officers same degrees as to GPP, however their branches of studies varied.[12]

Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis

[edit]

The ISSRA organization is headed by a two star officer who acts a director general.[13] It is further divided into seven branches such as Global and Regional Studies, Internal Studies, Defence Studies, Coord & Collaboration, Research & Publication, Keystone Capstone & Pinnacle Program, and Sahabzada Yaqub Khan (SYK) library. At staff, ISSRA is primarily focused on seminars, discussions, conferences, visiting briefings, and to interact with think tanks within the country.[14]

National War Gaming Center

[edit]

The National War Gaming Center (NWGC) do not have other branches likewise FCC or FCS. Based on strategic thinking, it was created to run wargames focused on to execute military operation plans, disaster, and emergency management. It uses the NATO-based computer network to execute military tactics.[14][15]

Libraries

[edit]

Its digital library consists print material from 70,000 books, periodicals, contemporary journals, pamphlets, government and daily newspaper publications. One of its major print material resources is Higher Education Commission of the country. It has also a fictional library which consists data from books, concerning women and children.

Its mapping section is intended for the creation of maps, and draughtsmen or other persons specialized in that area participates in that section designed for the production of graphic works.[11]

Academic profile

[edit]

Teaching and degrees

[edit]

The National Defence University's contemporary studies faculty award bachelor's, master of philosophy and doctorate degrees in various academic fields such as international relations, and public policy among others.[4]

Faculty of Contemporary Studies

  • Leadership and Management Studies (LMS)[12]
  • Government and Public Policy (GPP)
    • BS
    • M.Phill
    • Ph.D
  • Strategic Studies (SS)
    • BS
    • M.Phill
    • Ph.D
  • International Relations (IR)
    • BS
    • M.Phill
    • Ph.D
  • Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS)
    • BS
    • M.Phill
    • Ph.D

Role as a think tank

[edit]

The NDU's wing Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA) acts as a national think tank on national security matters, and is reportedly an internal part of the National Security Division, headed by a national security division secretary.[16] Inputs are provided to the government and armed forces to maintains academic links with domestic and foreign think tanks and defence universities with which Pakistan shares friendly relations.[17]

Amendments

[edit]

The parliament of Pakistan introduced an act in 2011 titled National Defence University, Act 2011, outlining the academic, administration, and financial amendments, in addition to establishment of the NDU. It was formerly signed by the president on 14 May 2011 after majlis-ash-shura such as the national assembly and the senate passed the bill. It functions under that act, however employing officers, teacher and other staff members are sanctioned by the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002. The act restrict government and other authorities to qualify or disqualify the officers, teachers, students, or any other participant associated with the university, on the grounds of their "gender, religion, race, creed, class, colour, or domicile".[6]

The act identifies the chancellor, president, dean, commandant (director general), chairperson (chief instructor), registrar, controller examination, director administration and director finance as the principal officers and also determines their powers and the functions.

Appointments

[edit]

The act allows the president of Pakistan to act as the chancellor, while the president of the university is recommended by the chief of army staff for the final approval of the chancellor. If the post of university president falls vacant due to any uncertainty such as health complications or death, it is not assumed by the other members with an additional charge of the president. The post is generally assumed for the term of five years, however the incumbent may be terminated if recommended by the army chief.[6]

List of presidents/commandants

[edit]
No. President/Commandant Term[18]
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
President of the National Defence University
1
Abdul Hameed Khan
Hameed Khan, AbdulLt Gen.
Abdul Hameed Khan
(1917–1984)		19 July 19707 December 1970141 days
2
Nasir Ahmad Chaudhri
Chaudhri, Nasir AhmadMajor General
Nasir Ahmad Chaudhri
(1920–2010)		3 April 197219 July 19742 years, 107 days
3
M. Rahim Khan
Rahim Khan, M.Major General
M. Rahim Khan		20 July 197431 August 19751 year, 42 days
4
Michael John O'Brian
O'Brian, Michael JohnAVM
Michael John O'Brian
(1928–1995)		1 September 19759 April 1976221 days
5
Azmat B. Awan
Awan, Azmat B.Lt Gen.
Azmat B. Awan		9 April 197630 October 19782 years, 204 days
6
Anwar Masood
Masood, AnwarMajor General
Anwar Masood		1 October 19781 September 1979335 days
7
Ejaz Azim
Azim, EjazLt Gen.
Ejaz Azim		10 September 19799 April 1980212 days
8
Nishat Ahmed
Ahmed, NishatMajor General
Nishat Ahmed		10 April 198020 June 19844 years, 71 days
9
S M H Bokhari
Bokhari, S M HLt Gen.
S M H Bokhari		21 June 19844 January 19883 years, 197 days
10
Muhammad Safdar
Safdar, MuhammadLt Gen.
Muhammad Safdar
(1934–2023)		5 January 198831 July 19891 year, 207 days
11
Zakir Ali Zaidi
Zaidi, Zakir AliLt Gen.
Zakir Ali Zaidi		1 August 198918 June 1990321 days
12
Rehmdil Bhatti
Bhatti, RehmdilLt Gen.
Rehmdil Bhatti		8 September 19909 February 19932 years, 154 days
13
Asad Durrani
Durrani, AsadLt Gen.
Asad Durrani
(born 1941)		10 February 199314 May 199393 days
14
Iftikhar Ali Khan
Khan, Iftikhar AliLt Gen.
Iftikhar Ali Khan
(1941–2009)		15 May 199317 June 199333 days
15
Syed Tanveer Hussain Naqvi
Naqvi, Syed Tanveer HussainLt Gen.
Syed Tanveer Hussain Naqvi		18 June 199431 January 19961 year, 227 days
16
Muhammad Maqbool
Maqbool, MuhammadLt Gen.
Muhammad Maqbool		1 February 19964 June 19982 years, 123 days
17
Mahmud Ahmed
Ahmed, MahmudLt Gen.
Mahmud Ahmed		5 June 199825 October 1998142 days
18
Salahuddin Tirmizi
Tirmizi, SalahuddinLt Gen.
Salahuddin Tirmizi		25 October 19982 March 20001 year, 129 days
19
Saeed Uz Zafar
Zafar, Saeed UzLt Gen.
Saeed Uz Zafar		13 March 200029 October 2000230 days
20
Javed Hassan
Hassan, JavedLt Gen.
Javed Hassan		30 October 20003 January 20043 years, 65 days
21
Tariq Waseem Ghazi
Ghazi, Tariq WaseemLt Gen.
Tariq Waseem Ghazi		3 January 200416 October 2004287 days
22
Shahid Hamid
Hamid, ShahidLt Gen.
Shahid Hamid		17 October 20044 November 20051 year, 18 days
23
Raza Muhammad Khan
Khan, Raza MuhammadLt Gen.
Raza Muhammad Khan		7 November 200530 June 20071 year, 235 days
24
Muhammad Hamid Khan
Khan, Muhammad HamidLt Gen.
Muhammad Hamid Khan		1 July 200711 October 20092 years, 102 days
25
Muhammad Yousaf
Yousaf, MuhammadLt Gen.
Muhammad Yousaf		12 October 200915 September 2010338 days
26
Agha Muhammad Umer Farooq
Farooq, Agha Muhammad UmerLt Gen.
Agha Muhammad Umer Farooq		8 October 201021 July 20121 year, 287 days
27
Nasser Khan Janjua
Janjua, Nasser KhanLt Gen.
Nasser Khan Janjua		30 July 201226 August 20131 year, 27 days
28
Javed Iqbal Ramday
Ramday, Javed IqbalLt Gen.
Javed Iqbal Ramday		26 August 201330 April 20151 year, 247 days
29
Anwar Ali Hyder
Hyder, Anwar AliLt Gen.
Anwar Ali Hyder		1 May 201510 April 2016345 days
30
Nazir Ahmed Butt
Butt, Nazir AhmedLt Gen.
Nazir Ahmed Butt		11 April 201619 December 2016252 days
31
Rizwan Akhtar
Akhtar, RizwanLt Gen.
Rizwan Akhtar		20 December 20169 October 2017293 days
32
Majid Ehsan
Ehsan, MajidLt Gen.
Majid Ehsan		24 October 201714 December 20181 year, 51 days
33
Aamer Riaz
Riaz, AamerLt Gen.
Aamer Riaz		15 December 20184 October 2019293 days
34
Muhammad Saeed
Saeed, MuhammadLt Gen.
Muhammad Saeed		28 November 20197 November 20211 year, 344 days
35
Nauman Mehmood
Mehmood, NaumanLt Gen.
Nauman Mehmood		23 November 202124 April 20231 year, 152 days
36
Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan
Naseem Ahmed Khan, RahatLt Gen.
Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan		03 May 202330 November 2023211 days
37
Asif Ghafoor
Ghafoor, AsifLt Gen.
Asif Ghafoor		1 December 2023Incumbent1 year, 55 days

Notable alumni

[edit]
See also: Category:National Defence University, Pakistan alumni and Category:Academic staff of the National Defence University, Pakistan

Throughout its history from a college to university, some of its alumni and faculty members became notable in academic, politics, military and many other varied fields.

Pakistani generals who attended the National Defence University
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Ehsan ul Haq
Raheel Sharif

Many Pakistani generals, including Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Ehsan ul Haq, and Raheel Sharif attended the National Defence University. Kayani graduated from National Defence College and also remained faculty member of the university.[19] Ehsan ul Haq graduated from NDU and Command and Staff College, Quetta, an affiliated institute of the university.[20] Raheel Sharif is among the other generals who attended the university.[21]

Pakistani admirals who attended the National Defence University
Afzal Tahir
Amjad Khan Niazi
Zafar Mahmood Abbasi

In addition to Pakistani generals, some alumni from the naval department became notable in their respective fields. Admiral Afzal Tahir graduated from the National Defence College,[22] while Shahid Karimullah, attended armed forces war course department of the National Defence College.[23] Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is also an alumnus of the university[24] while Amjad Khan Niazi graduated from NDU and Command and Staff College.[25]

Pakistani politicians who attended the National Defence University
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf

Musharraf, the 10th president of Pakistan graduated from the National Defence College and Command and Staff College, Quetta, an affiliated institute of NDU.[26]

Publications

[edit]
  • NDU Journal is an annual feature of the university which is based on the research papers by the students, researchers, and policy makers. The publications provide ideas on issues of national security of Pakistan. Before an article is published in the journal, it is single peer reviewed.[27]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "PAKISTAN ARMY". PAKISTAN ARMY. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. ^ Reddy, B. Muralidhar (25 May 2011). "Pakistan's military officers, seen through American eyes". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "NDU Islamabad: Here's Everything You Need To Know About It". The Academia. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. ^ NDU President. "President of the National Defence University". www.ndu.edu.pk. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Acts, ordinances, president's orders and regulations" (PDF). na.gov.pk. 27 October 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Universities". hec.gov.pk. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  8. ^ "National Defence University background". ndu.edu.pk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018.
  9. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  12. ^ a b "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  13. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 10 August 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  15. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 14 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  16. ^ Kartha, Tara (20 March 2021). "Pakistan's changing idea of national security". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  17. ^ Noor, Sitara (28 March 2021). "Democratising the debate". The News International. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  18. ^ "President". National Defence University, Islamabad. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  19. ^ Pike, John (29 November 2007). "Ashfaq Parvez Kayani". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  20. ^ "New JCSC chief, VCOAS appointed". DAWN.COM. 3 October 2004. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  21. ^ Pike, John (1 January 1970). "Chief of Army Staff (COAS)". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Vice Admiral Afzal appointed Naval chief". Brecorder. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  23. ^ "New navy chief named". DAWN.COM. 4 October 2002. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  24. ^ Web Desk (7 October 2017). "Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi assumes command of Pakistan Navy". The News International. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi assumes command as Chief of Naval Staff". The Express Tribune. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Pervez Musharraf giography". britannica.com. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  27. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  28. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  29. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  30. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  31. ^ "National Defence University, Islamabad". ndu.edu.pk. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.

Notes

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  1. ^ AWC was a military faculty, not an independent institute. It was introduced to Command and Staff College, and represents historical concept responsible for the origin of NDU. It is now a component of NDU known as National Security and War Course.
[edit]


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