International educational initiatives: Ukraine and Sweden are on the way to joint educational progress

Lieutenant Colonel Fredric Westerdahl, an applicant of the third level of higher education at the Swedish Defense University, continued his work at the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine within the framework of the joint research project.

The visit was aimed at the strengthening scientific cooperation, exchange of experience and implementation of research within the framework of the project dedicated to the order of formation of the land component of the Armed Forces.

The main topic of the research was the study of approaches to individual and collective training of military personnel at the tactical level up to and including the battalion. Special attention was paid to the analysis of the Ukrainian experience in the field of decentralization of military command. Namely, how much freedom commanders have in making decisions during personnel training, how they delegate authority to junior commanders, and how building trust between levels of command affects the effectiveness of task performance.

"Cooperation with the Swedish Defense University has significant potential for developing educational programs and improving the training of Ukrainian military personnel. A number of joint activities are planned for the next year, in particular, the development of an operational level L3 course for the Security Forces of Ukraine. This course will be a unique educational initiative aimed at ensuring compatibility between the Security and Defense Forces. In addition, our lectures have been invited to join a joint educational module organized by the Defense University of Ukraine and the Swedish Defense University. They will be responsible for the module dedicated to civil-military cooperation. This module provides the implementation of the principles of effective management, gender sensitivity and inclusiveness to ensure synergy between civilian and military structures", - First Deputy Head of the Academy for Educational and Methodological Work Colonel Vladyslav Yemanov says.

In addition, an online meeting was held with representatives of the Swedish Defense University. During the event, the results of the work already carried out and the coordination of agreements reached during the official visit of representatives of the Academy and the Headquarters to the Kingdom of Sweden were discussed. The main attention was paid to the prospects for further cooperation and the detailing of key areas of activity for 2025.

"The joint research project aims to strengthen interaction between countries. It involves the exchange of experience, the development of new methods of training military personnel, as well as the creation of innovative approaches to solving current security challenges. I am confident that cooperation will bring significant results, and knowledge will be useful for both sides", - Lieutenant Colonel Fredrik Westerdal said.

Department of International Relations, Information and Communication of the NANGU