Jaishankar inaugurates Uganda campus of India’s NFSU, says it’s personal vision of PM Modi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the first foreign campus of India’s National Forensic Sciences University in Jinja, Uganda, on Wednesday, marking a watershed moment in India-Uganda bilateral cooperation.

“A personal vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its international footprint is a matter of particular satisfaction,” Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishankar also stated that this was a proud day for India, Uganda, and the India-Uganda relationship.

He went on to say that the opening of NFSU’s Uganda campus is an example of practical cooperation between the two countries.

In his remarks at the inauguration of the NFSU in Uganda, Jaishankar said, “India’s National Forensic Sciences University is opening its campus in Uganda, partnering with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces. This is the first foreign campus of the National Forensic Sciences University. Even more important, it is actually the first government University of India opening a campus anywhere abroad in the world.”

“The National Forensic Sciences University is an institution of national importance and is the world’s first university dedicated exclusively to forensic sciences. It was established in Ahmadabad in Gujarat, under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister. This university conducts courses in forensic sciences, behavioural sciences, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and allied sciences, and also promotes research in these areas,” Jaishankar added.

He also said, “For the past few years we have seen that courses in forensic sciences were in very high demand from students in Africa under various scholarships provided by the Government of India. One of the reasons why the stakeholders thought about a campus in Uganda, was in fact the high acceptance of this university among students from Africa.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the first foreign campus of India’s National Forensic Sciences University in Jinja, Uganda, on Wednesday, marking a watershed moment in India-Uganda bilateral cooperation.

“A personal vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its international footprint is a matter of particular satisfaction,” Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishankar also highlighted this was a proud day for India, a proud day for Uganda and for the India-Uganda relationship. The inauguration of NFSU’s Uganda campus is an example of practical cooperation between the two nations, he added.

When asked about the courses offered by this university – Forensic Sciences in Behavioral Sciences, Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, and Allied Sciences – Jaishakar expressed confidence that these courses will be in high demand from students and will provide enormous benefits to all stakeholders in Uganda and Africa.

In his remarks at the inauguration of the NFSU in Uganda, Jaishankar said, “India’s National Forensic Sciences University is opening its campus in Uganda, partnering with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces. This is the first foreign campus of the National Forensic Sciences University. Even more important, it is actually the first government University of India opening a campus anywhere abroad in the world.”

“The National Forensic Sciences University is an institution of national importance and is the world’s first university dedicated exclusively to forensic sciences. It was established in Ahmadabad in Gujarat, under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister. This university conducts courses in forensic sciences, behavioural sciences, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and allied sciences, and also promotes research in these areas,” Jaishankar added.

He also said, “For the past few years we have seen that courses in forensic sciences were in very high demand from students in Africa under various scholarships provided by the Government of India. One of the reasons why the stakeholders thought about a campus in Uganda, was in fact the high acceptance of this university among students from Africa.”

According to Jaishankar, discussions for this campus have been ongoing between the NFSU and Ugandan authorities for some time. “When the President of Uganda wrote to our Prime Minister in August 2022, the Prime Minister immediately directed the relevant ministries to support the NFSU on this proposal. As a result, the campus we are launching today reflects the vision and relationship of our two countries’ highest leadership. That also makes it everyone’s responsibility to give their all to this institution and make it a true centre of excellence “He went on to say. Jaishankar also spoke about India-Uganda defence relations at the inaugural event of NFSU’s Uganda campus.

He said, “Our two countries have robust defence relations. India has been regularly training and exchanging with UPDF, under its Economic and Technical Cooperation Programme. About 50 UPDF officers travel to India every year to take defence courses ranging from short-term months to up to one year.”

“Further, a four-member Indian Military Advisory and Training Team is stationed in the Defence Staff College of UPDF since 2010 and I acknowledge their presence here today. I am happy to note that our discussions have raised to open up the possibility of further expansion of defence cooperation, in the last few months and years. Cooperation between the National Defence College and the newly constituted NDC of Uganda is also under consideration,” Jaishankar concluded.

During his visit to Uganda, Jaishankar spoke with a Ugandan chef about Millets.

“Great to discuss Millets and their importance in Ugandan culture. Shree Anna is another facet binding us together,” he tweeted.

Notably, EAM Jaishankar will be in Uganda and Mozambique from April 10-15 to strengthen India’s “strong bilateral relations” with both countries.