Bozinovic and Lovric attend presentation of HVU transformation project

The project was presented by Director of the Military Academy, Major General Mirko Sundov and his deputy Brigadier General Slaven Zdilar, and the presentation was also attended by other representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces General Staff and Director of the Agency for Science and Higher Education (AZVO) Dr. Jasmina Havranek with associates.
In the presentation it was emphasized that for the transformation of the Military Academy into higher education institution existed legal requirements, and the foundations have been set in needs of the Armed Forces and MOD, as well as the security and defence system of the Republic of Croatia, in the Strategic Defence Review, Long Term Development Plan 2006-2015 and in existing concepts of education.

The goal of transformation for the Military Academy in the period to 2020 is to become the higher education and a scientific and military research institution integrated into the university community, focused on the future, capable of innovation, anticipation and adaptation of programs in developing defence and security system. Academy would primarily train specialists for Croatian Armed Forces, but also for other parts of the defence-security system of Croatia and for other government bodies.
The acquired level of education would be comparable and compatible with other university levels in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union, and the desire is for Croatia to be profiled as a regional leader in this type of higher education.

Minister Bozinovic expressed his support for the program, as well as for the next step in this program. It is about preparing and launching interuniversity interdisciplinary study programs for defence and security system of the Republic of Croatia and government bodies. Programs would be implemented and developed by the Military Academy in cooperation with existing universities.

“The Agency for Science and Higher Education has previously supported the initiative and is actively involved in its implementation”, Director Havranek confirmed. The Agency believes that the Military Academy and Institute for Development and Research of Defence Systems (IROS) meet all essential prerequisites for the implementation of university academic programs in collaboration with public universities in Croatia.

Once the programs would be implemented in this form for two years, it is possible that HVU apply to state institutions for carrying out independent studies.