It is a noteworthy accomplishment that when ITEC civilian programs were stalled due to the Pandemic, we were still able to find a way to conduct ITEC Defence courses. Regardless of all the adversities we faced due to Covid-19, the tri-service programs were launched in July 2020. DSSC 76 saw participation from countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Philippines, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Zambia, and Saudi Arabia. Similarly for HDMC-16, participants from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Thailand successfully attended the program. Naval programs were started from mid-September, 2020, while programs offered by the Army came on track subsequently from October 2020. Aviation related programs will begin from January 2021. We were able to successfully conduct these programs due to the zeal and commitment of our forces and officers towards their partner countries.
Since we were constrained due to many challenges confronted owing to the Pandemic for organizing physical classes, DPA-II division organized a few e-ITEC programs. These virtual engagements turned out to be fruitful endeavours. The first e-ITEC program on clinical management of COVID-19 for about 70 officers from medical branch of Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam Armed forces had been conducted from 6-9th July, 2020. The program was conducted in collaboration with Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
DPA-II Division, taking cue from the travel ban, started early repatriation of defence trainees. A total of 111 trainees had been repatriated to their respective countries during 19th-23rd March, 2020 period. DPA-II Division made sure that defence trainees stranded due to restrictions imposed by the travel ban were accommodated comfortably in their institutes. Additional 817 trainees had been repatriated utilizing out bound Vande Bharat Mission flights and special charter flights arranged by countries to repatriate their citizens in India.