In the period from 06-08.11.2024, expert talks took a place in the Austrian Military Academy in the field of improving international cooperation in the field of education. The opening address to the participants was presented by the Commandant of the military academy, Major General Karl Pronhagl, which first welcomed the representatives of the Western Balkans Initiative and briefly highlighted the capacities, opportunities and capabilities of the Austrian Military Academy in the field of improving international cooperation and exchange of personnel in the field of education.
Furthermore, the meeting was led by Colonel d-r Gell Harald, Associate Professor, Head of the Office for International Cooperation. Colonel d-r Gell Harald briefly outlined the training modules for: cadets, language institute, non-commissioned officer academy, activities of the officer-instructors for advanced modules in education and branch training.
In the field of cadet’s education through international cooperation, the cadets from Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have been educated since the Western Balkans Initiative have been established before almost decade ago.
The first year of international cadets’ education is dedicated to learning the German and English language. Furthermore, for the next four years, these cadets continue their education completely in the Austrian Military Academy, where in the first year they attend courses in which the cadets show a special interest, and the courses represent an educational module for the Army branches and represent a significant segment for the further branch selection of the cadets.
The next three years at the Austrian Military Academy are dedicated to the study program for the first cycle of studies in which, in addition to regular subjects, cadets have courses on: military leadership, officer career and branch courses. Of particular importance are the military-professional branches courses. Within the framework of academic education for international student-cadets, the first year is dedicated to the study of German and English. Before the start of the first semester, all cadets have an infantry leadership course at squad level.
In the first semester, in addition to regular subjects, they have courses dedicated to military leadership and information and communication technologies in the Army. The second and third semesters are dedicated to subjects and courses for officer career development. The fourth and fifth semesters, in addition to regular classes, cadets have a study session outside the country.
The sixth, seventh and eighth semester are devoted to military-professional subjects, but also to training for the work preparation of the cadets who will become officers. The last semester, in addition to the military-professional courses, also includes preparation for work and defense of the diploma thesis.
Within the framework of branch school, the Austrian Military Academy conducts education for the following branches and types: infantry, Armored corps, communications, air defense, artillery, military police, air surveillance, NBCD, engineering, logistics and technical officers. They have specific study programs for special forces and pilots.
Through the Western Balkans Initiative (WBI) from 2017 until now, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have educated cadets in the following branches and services: infantry, engineering, logistics, liaison and other technical officers.
The statistics from 2017, said that a total of 24 cadets from foreign countries have been fully educated in the Austrian military academy, of which 21 cadets from Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 3 cadets from Republic of Montenegro.
So far, the cooperation of Military Academy "Gen. Mihailo Apostolski" within the Austrian Military Academy, have been represented with several times exchange of cadets-students within the Erasmus+ military program for the exchange of cadets-students.
Representatives from the Military Academy were Lt. Col. D-r Andrej Iliev, Full prof. and Lt. Col. D-r Aleksandar Petrovski, Assoc. prof. The professors from the Military Academy emphasized the importance of the international cooperation of the two military academies in the field of: scientific-research work through international projects of NATO and the European Union, exchange of cadets and teaching staff through the Erasmus+ military program.
At the end, the Head of the Office for International Cooperation, Colonel D-r Gell Harald, associate professor, emphasized that the Erasmus+ military program for the exchange of cadets and teaching staff is under his authority and that it would be an honor for further deeper cooperation between the military academies within the semester education of cadets and exchange of teaching staff.
