Educational Visit to Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Puducherry Campus, organised an educational and institutional visit to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, on 03 September 2026 with a delegation of 44 students and 7 faculty/staff members. The visit provided students with first-hand exposure to military traditions, leadership, discipline, professionalism, and the ethos of national service.

The delegation had the opportunity to meet Lt Gen Michael Anthony Jude Fernandez, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, OTA Chennai, and initiate discussions on the possibility of developing an affiliated academic programme between RRU and OTA Chennai. This engagement represents a potential step towards strengthening academic–military cooperation in areas related to national security, defence studies and strategic studies.

The delegation also witnessed the Passing Out Parade (POP), offering students a valuable understanding of military ceremonial practices, officer training and leadership development. Publicly available reporting on the OTA Chennai POP notes that the academy's training environment places strong emphasis on discipline, drill, leadership and professional military standards.

The visit also highlighted the wider role of OTA Chennai in preparing officers for service in the Indian Army. Official Government of India records confirm Lt Gen Michael Anthony Jude Fernandez as a decorated senior Army officer, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM). The Army Training Command publicly announced the OTA Chennai Passing Out Parade for 05 September 2026, indicating the significance of the event within the Army's training calendar.

Overall, the visit was a significant experiential learning and institutional engagement initiative, strengthening students' understanding of military leadership and national security while opening avenues for future academic–military collaboration between RRU and OTA Chennai.