Beat terror with a degree

The country's first anti-terror course in a Pune college will have some of the wisdom coming straight from the horse's mouth former militants

Beat terror with a degree

The country's first anti-terror course in a Pune college will have some of the wisdom coming straight from the horse's mouth former militants

A college run by an NGO in Pune is offering a course in counter-terrorism and has even roped in militants who have surrendered to give lectures.

The NGO, Sarhad, will launch a two-year course on counter-terrorism, a first in the country, at the Sarhad College of Arts, Commerce and Science, a government-affiliated college, from the new academic session in July.

Objective

There are two courses available: A two-year post-graduate course and a certificate course. The main objective of the course is to educate citizens so that they are aware and psychologically equipped to deal with the fallout of terrorism.

Sarhad founder Sanjay Nahar, whose idea it was to start such the course, said the subject has become relevant considering the number of attacks in India. It has been developed with the help of experts in law, policing and security, under the guidance of Mahmid-ur-Rahman, former vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

Nahar says the course will help students to identify potential threats and take note of suspicious behaviour.

The 50-seat course will also have surrendered militants speaking to students and visiting faculty will include those from other terror-affected countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq and Bangladesh.

The course awaits a UGC accreditation.

Some of the courses
First year: Etymology and philosophy of terrorism and its genesis; Terrorists' ideologies, beliefs; Piracy, maritime and cyber-terrorism; Aviation terrorism; Counter terrorism strategy
Second Year: Land, maritime and air security initiatives; Control strategy and role of police, private and security agencies; Existing legal system and challenges posed by terrorists; Press media and terrorism.
Certificate course: Land, maritime and aviation terrorism and counter strategy; Transborder terrorism and counter strategy