The Education of Foreign Military Personnel in the Polish Military Universities and Academies as a Factor Enhancing National Security — Selected Aspects

Abstract

The article discusses factors enhancing the development of international cooperation in military education limited to several chosen aspects of educating foreign military personnel in Polish military schools between 2013–2017. Such cooperation is conducted through making contact with foreign partners and participation in mutual events in the field of science, research and didactics, as well as the exchange of students and teaching staff. Additionally, the paper presents legal conditions for the education of foreigners — primarily the regulations of the Higher Education Act by which the Minister of National Defence is authorised to coordinate the cooperation of Polish and foreign schools and academies as a part of international agreements. Moreover, the priorities of the cooperation are also mentioned. Such priorities are treated as an effective tool in supporting the process of the creation of a friendly international environment and as a part of trying to achieve some kind of unification of education and training. One of the best examples of such a priority is an increase of exchanges of military students that were made possible by the establishment of a system of exchange of students from military higher education institutions (officer cadets) and this programme is called the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers (Military ERASMUS). A significant role for the development of international cooperation is also played by 1st degree studies (bachelor degree), run in the English language, conducted by three Polish military academies — Naval Academy, Military University of Land Forces and Air Force Academy. Finally, postgraduates studies, English language courses on different levels, according to STANAG 6001, and the Polish language course for foreigners complete the educational offer for the foreign partners.