06.10.2021.
Opening of the Central European Forum on Military Education
The Central European Forum on Military Education (CEFME), which is this year hosted by the University of Defence, has been officially opened today in “M” Hotel in Belgrade.
State Secretary Aleksandar Živković welcomed delegations of military educational establishments from Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Austria, Slovakia and Serbia and wished them successful work on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stafanović PhD, and all members of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces.
Having officially opened the Forum, State Secretary Živković underlined the strategic role of military education and its significance for defence potential of every country, that being the reason why it is important to continuously invest in all segments of educational process and to implement modern methods of instruction, as a guarantee that the military education will be used for a sustainable development and keeping step with modern technologies and social events. He added that the University of Defence represents an institution of vital importance for the Republic of Serbia which is why investments in science, research and education are considered to be an investment in the future.
The basic contribution of the Forum, whose topic for this year is “the Influence of modern operational environment on military education”, is reflected in the support to the development of education and training of military professionals, enhancement of cooperation among military educational establishments, exchange of teaching staff and students and creation of conditions for more efficient organisation of joint activities – State Secretary Živković explains.
He also reflected on the influence of Covid-19 outbreak on aspects of education, which resulted in moving the “physical classroom environment” to homes and virtual space. As a good example Živković instanced the success of the University of Defence to adapt its information system to distance learning concept, meaning the online instruction. Owing to the Centre for Simulations and Distance Learning the gap between classical methods of instruction was overcome and new methodology has been established which fully ensured the quality and continuity of the teaching process.
State Secretary Živković points out that the experiences gained so far are very important, because knowing the characteristics of education in circumstances of specific risks, represents a significant segment of the continuous mission to enhance teaching process and adapt it to new circumstances.
The participants of the Forum were also addressed by the Dean of the University of Defence, Lieutenant General Goran Radovanović PhD, who stated that it was a great honour for Serbia to be the host of this year’s Forum and expressed his pride with the fact that the University of Defence had been full and active member in previous CEFME activities, and that it had implemented all positive solutions which ensued as a result of the joint work.
The Forum will last until 8th October, and during that time the delegations of the participating countries will visit cultural and historical sights of Serbian capital as well as part of classrooms, accommodation and sport facilities of the University of Defence.
The Central European Forum on Military Education represents and voluntary association of military universities from Middle Europe. The Military Academy has been a member of this Forum since its establishment in 2007, while the University of Defence has been a member since 2011.
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