Convocation ceremony for 79th Staff Course held at DSSC, Wellington
The Convocation ceremony for the
79th Staff Course was conducted at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC),
Wellington on 13 Apr 24. The ceremony was presided by Commandant, DSSC Lt Gen
Virendra Vats. A total of 476 officers including 36 International Officers from
26 Friendly Foreign Countries graduated from the College.
In his Convocation address, the Commandant exhorted the future
leaders to continue in their pursuit for knowledge and be the harbinger of
change in the Armed Forces. He emphasised on the necessity of promoting joint
culture and ethos that has been imbibed by them while at the Defence Services
Staff College, Wellington.
Meritorious Officers excelling in Military Studies and
Groups achieving distinction in Exercises and Research Projects were awarded
medals and felicitated during the Convocation Ceremony. The Manekshaw Medal was
awarded to Maj BPS Mankotia of the Indian Army, Cdr Ravikant Tiwari of the
Indian Navy and Wg Cdr T Mohan of the Indian Air Force for Overall Best in
order of merit in their respective service. Maj C Teeneshwaran from the
Republic of Singapore was awarded the Southern Star Medal, on being adjudged
the Best amongst International Student Officers. Medals were also awarded for
Academic Excellence and All Round Proficiency.
The aim of the Staff Course is to train selected officers
of the three Services in command and staff functions in peace and war in their
own service, inter-service and joint service environment, and to provide
related general education to enable them to perform effectively in command and
staff appointments.
Being one of the earliest institutions of its kind in the
entire world to provide, under one roof, training to officers of three
services, along with officers of the civil services, DSSC has acquired an
enviable reputation both at home and abroad for its pursuit of academic
excellence.