03.07.2015.

Completion of education of officers of 58th Class of the General Staff Course and 4th Class of Advanced Security and Defence studies

On the occasion of the completion of education of officers of the 58th Class of the General Staff Course at the National Defence School and students of the 4th Class of Advanced Security and Defence studies, a ceremony was held at the House of the National Assembly today.

President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic handed ceremonial officer swords to three first rank officers from 58th Class of the General Staff Course, and Minister of Defence Bratislav Handed officer swords to officers of 58th Class of the General Staff Course at the National Defence School, and badges to attendees of 4th Class of Advanced Security and Defence studies.

The General Staff Course has been completed by 34 officers, 26 from MoD and SAF organizational units, five from PDR Algeria, two officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and one from the Republic of Greece. The most successful attendees are Lieutenant Colonel Djuro Jovanic, with an average score of 9.60, Lieutenant Colonel Slaven Vujic, with an average score of 9.60, and Lieutenant Colonel Zoltan Jagica, with an average score of 9.00. The Advanced Security and Defence Studies in 4th Class have been successfully completed by 15 students from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and PDR Algeria.

Congratulating the students and officers, and greeting the members of foreign armies that had completed their education with SAF officers, President Nikolic pointed out that they were the “proof that the states they come from trust the Serbian military education”.

- The choice of our university institution for advanced education of officers from foreign armies significantly contributes to the goal we strive for – to make the University of Defence, and especially the Military Academy recognized as the leader of contemporary pedagogical approach to mastering military knowledge and skills, as a university institution that forms good military staff, not only in the region, but also in the widest, global frame. The military education institutions that keep up with contemporary pedagogic trends, such as our Academy, are founded in a way that they take care of the continuous education throughout the entire career. This kind of lifetime education must be available for everyone dealing with the field of defence – President said.

Today, Serbia actively contributes to security and stability in the region, Nikolic stressed, and our country strives to achieve this contribution with maximum cooperation with the neighbours and the international community.

- Dedication to peaceful resolution of conflicts is a principle in our foreign policy, with emphasis on the need to respect equally all political subjects and the basic principles of the international law. To this effect, a lot has been done, and, today, we can say that, thanks to the planned development based on operative capabilities, we have a contemporary and rational Armed Forces, which is highly regarded among the citizens in its reputation and respect – President Nikolic stressed.

Addressing the students, he told them that, by studying quality multidisciplinary study programs, they had been trained to apply preventive, efficient and inter-resource approaches to business of security and defence, and that Serbia had acquired an generation of future high managers – leaders in the defence system on the strategic and operative level of decision making, prepared to respond to all challenges that our country might face in the contemporary political and security environment.

- In the next period, Serbia must use its potentials and take the deserved place in the family of European countries. Our foreign policy priority is to come closer to the European Union in order for Serbia to improve the life standard of its citizens, and to actively protect its sovereignty and modernize its military. With the integration in European courses, Serbia will get the opportunity to advance in all social fields, and, through various forms of inter-army cooperation, members of our Armed Forces will show Europe and the world the quality hey have acquired during their education and professional advancement – Serbian President said, adding that “we are proud of the reports from the commands of multinational operations authorized for building and preserving peace in various regions and states across the world, where our officers, NCOs and soldiers are deployed”.

According to him, with the necessary and continuous modernization of the material base, the Serbian Armed Forces was ready even today to engage with armies of other European states in resolving all current security issues and implementation of various educational and scientific research projects.

- All these factors assure me that the Serbian Armed Forces will keep the rightfully deserved trust of our citizens earned year after year, because it has always confirmed the unity with its people during the centuries of its liberation tradition. As the history teaches us, the unity of a people and its military is an unbeatable defence force and a healthy foundation for future improvement of the state and society – Serbian President concluded.

The best ranked student Lieutenant Colonel Jovanic greeted the guests on behalf of the students of both classes and stressed the importance of the education system at the National Defence School which enables the adoption of new knowledge and skills necessary for building capabilities in order to respond to all challenges that occur.

Chief of the National Defence School Colonel Dr. Miroslav Talijan greeted the guests and told the student of both classes that they had proven that the awarded acknowledgements were deserved with their dedication and life choice.

The ceremony at the House of the National Assembly was also attended by Chairman of the National Assembly of Serbia Maja Gojkovic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Zoran Djordjevic, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces General Ljubisa Dikovic, ministers of the Serbian Government, representatives of religious communities, foreign military officials, and families and friends of the students.

The General Staff Course is of mixed training character and is the third level of post – graduation professional development of officers, whose objective is to develop leadership skills of officers for strategic thinking and efficient commanding and handling in the wide spectrum of national and multinational security challenges. The studies in the 58th class have been completed by 34 officers, 26 from Serbia, two from Bosnia and Herzegovina, one from the Republic of Greece and five from PDR Algeria.

The 4th Class of Advanced Security and Defence studies has been completed by 15 students: four SAF officers, 6 persons from the Ministry of Defence and agencies of the Serbian Government, one person from the Serbian National Assembly and four foreign members – from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and PDR Algeria. During their studies, they have been trained to implement the interdisciplinary approach in resolving the challenges that the national defence system faces.