ACSS, NDU-K partner to elevate senior military education
Military officers. Courtesy photo
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) Band the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) convened a pivotal academic programme, bringing together leaders from senior-level African professional military education institutions.
The forum held between August 6 to August 8, 2024, provided a platform for participants to exchange perspectives on strengthening the education and development of senior military and civilian national security officials.
The event, held in Nairobi, attracted representatives from senior-level military institutions across the continent, including Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia, as well as the United States (the US).
The programme focused on the crucial role that these institutions play in preparing senior officials for strategic-level service, emphasising the need to equip them with the skills necessary to develop and implement military strategies and provide executive leadership in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environments.
Senior-level professional military education institutions are the pinnacle of a nation's officer education system, and their graduates often go on to lead military formations and serve as liaisons with national political leaders.
Recognising this, the forum allowed participants to share ideas and best practices aimed at producing graduates who are capable of navigating the current and future strategic landscapes.
ACSS, established in 1999, has long served as a forum for research and academic programmes focused on enhancing citizen security by strengthening the effectiveness and accountability of African institutions.
The forum reflected the ACSS's ongoing commitment to advancing security across the continent by fostering partnerships and catalysing strategic solutions.
NDU-K, which received its charter in May 2021, hosted the event as part of its mission to empower defence and security professionals through world-class education and training.
As Kenya's first university of its kind, NDU-K continues to build its capacity for teaching, research, and innovation, positioning itself as a centre of excellence in national security and strategy.
The forum highlighted the importance of ensuring that military education programmes remain relevant and responsive to the evolving security environment, ultimately aiming to produce leaders who are not only well-versed in military strategy, but also committed to safeguarding national interests in an increasingly complex global arena.
