National Defence University, Pakistan


The National Defence University or NDU, is a publicly funded military institution located in Islamabad, Pakistan dedicated to the study and research in military science, geo-strategy and international relations.
Founded in 1970 as the staff college, it gained university status in 2007 and it is jointly funded by the Education Commission and the Defence Ministry. The NDU provides comprehensive and critical learning in formulating and developing the defence strategy as well national security understanding to joint military leadership of Pakistani military. Chartered by the President of Pakistan as its Chancellor and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, its current president is Lieutenant-General Muhammad Saeed.
The university's mission is to impart higher education in policy and strategy formulation at various tier with emphasis on national security and defence, and act as a national think tank.
University is governed under Act of Parliament.

Location

The NDU is a Pakistani military institution founded in 1963, when the 1st Army War Course started at the Command and Staff College, Quetta. Subsequently, in 1971, a dedicated National Defence College was established at the old building of the National Assembly of Pakistan in Rawalpindi. In 1995, the National Defence College shifted to its present campus at the foothills of Margalla, Islamabad.
By a decree of the Government of Pakistan, the National Defence College was upgraded as the National Defence University. An Ordinance to this effect was signed on 27 January 2007, by the President of Pakistan.
The management of the National Defence University is vested in a three Star General from the Pakistan Army, who is called the President. He is also the head of the faculty. The university is organized into four constituent colleges/institutes:
There are three affiliated colleges:
The National Security College, Armed Forces War College and Faculty of Contemporary Studies are the instructional colleges for conducting studies in Defence and Social Sciences, whereas the ISSRA acts as a brain and think-tank apart from conducting the National Security & Media Workshops, Capstone Courses and Symposia/Seminars.
The Headquarters/Administrative Wing provides administrative and technical support to the entire university. The Wing is headed by a one Star General officer.

History

The origin of the National Defence University goes back to 1963, when the 1st Army War Course started at the Command and Staff College, Quetta. Subsequently, in 1971, a dedicated National Defence College was established at the old building of the National Assembly of Pakistan in Rawalpindi. In 1995, the National Defence College shifted to its present campus at the foothills of the Margalla, Islamabad. The NDU stands established in the same campus.

Courses

Between 1972 and 2009, the NDU program comprised two courses: the War Course which focused on purely military strategy, and the broader National Defence Course which covered strategic and socioeconomic issues. In 2010, the two courses were combined into the National Security and War Course of 48 weeks on an annual basis. The course starts in August and ends in June. Since 1988, officers from friendly countries have also attended courses at the National Defence University. So far 3061 participants have graduated from the National Defence University. This includes, 469 officers from the 39 friendly countries and 570 participants of National Security Workshops. Today, the NDU trains the entire military leadership and the bulk of the civilian leadership. An officer cannot become general unless he graduates from the NDU
Thirteen National Security Workshops, each of 6 weeks duration, are held annually.

Emblem/logo

The Jasmine wreath in gold is placed upon the green background of the national color. Three services colors are represented in the centre, signifying inter-services organisation. A crossed sword and pen placed up the lower portion of the shield represent honour, strength and achievement through learning. The motto is inscribed in gold letters on the top centre of the shield.

Role as a Think Tank

The NDU acts as a national think tank on national security matters. Input is provided to the government and armed forces. The NDU maintains academic links with national think tanks and defence universities of friendly countries.

Motto

Taught man that which he knew not

Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS)

The Faculty of Contemporary Studies was formally inaugurated on 3 September 2008.
Courses
Faculty of Contemporary Studies is offering the below mentioned courses at BS, M.Sc, M.Phil and PhD.
FCS has recently started BS-Economics as well

Institute for Strategic Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA)

DG ISSRA
Major General Ghulam Qamar, Hilal-e-Imtiaz was Commissioned in an Infantry Regiment in June 1983. During his Military career, the General Officer held a wide range of command, staff and instructional appointments, however, larger part of his service has been in operational areas. Apart from service at Siachin Glacier, commanded an Infantry Battalion along Line of Control and two Infantry Brigades, out of which one was also deployed in Sub Conventional War Zone of North Waziristan. Commanded an Infantry Division which was deployed in Terrorism stricken area of Swat, Dir and Chitral. The General Officer severed as Director General Doctrine & Evaluation General Headquarter Rawalpindi. The General Officer remained instructor at Pakistan Military Academy, Command & Staff College Quetta and at the War College in National Defence University Islamabad. He is a graduate of Command & Staff College Quetta, National Defence University Islamabad and Beijing. Apart from this, he also served under the Umbrella of UN peace keeping Mission in Somalia. The General Officer has represented Pakistan Army at various International Forums and delivered lectures/participated in seminars on issues related to Sub Conventional Warfare. He is also the author of Sub Conventional Warfare Doctrine for Pakistan Army. Presently, he is serving as Director General Institute of Strategic Studies Research and Analysis in National Defence University, Islamabad.
Courses
Under the ISSRA, following courses have been offered
Founded in 1970, the National Defence University Library Islamabad, over the years progressed and expanded significantly. It is now one of the well organized academic cum research libraries of the defence institutions and the capital as well. Its collection is a blend of books, research papers, professional journals, newspaper clippings and digital databases. The library is stocked with 96,000 books, professional journals and other materials on subjects of interest including military history, defence and security studies, nuclear studies, international relations, peace and conflict studies, governance and public policy, economics, politics, international relations, Pakistan affairs, Islam, etc. The books have been classified using Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme.

Commandants/Presidents

Publications

Pakistan Army
Generals
Lieutenant Generals
Major Generals
Brigadiers
Pakistan Police
Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Navy
Civil Servants
Lawyers
Parliamentarians