SVK President in visit to Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš

The President of the Slovak Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the SVK Armed Forces Andrej Kiska, accompanied by Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš, paid a visit to the “General Milan Rastislav Štefánik” Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš (AOS). The Academy leaders familiarised the President with the school's organisational structure, admissions requirements and forms of education. They filled him in on the accredited study programmes, including Electronic Weapons Systems, Military Signal and Information Systems, National Security and Defence, and Weapon Systems, Weaponry and its Components. The SVK President also received a tour of the AOS Simulation Centre.

In his speech, Minister Gajdoš underlined the significance of this military education establishment: “The Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš is the only education institution in Slovakia to educate future officers for our Armed Forces, while providing a variety of courses for enhancing one's qualifications in different military occupational specialities for national and international students alike.” According to the Minister, there is a need to make investments in education, not only in military assets and equipment. At the same time, he underscored the preparedness of the future officers to deal with new threats. President Kiska visited AOS as part of his working trip to the Liptov region. Speaking in front of the gathered cadets at the Academy, President Kiska said: “Life at the Armed Forces Academy is different from that at other universities and colleges. It is a life that teaches you how to take responsibility.” He went on to remind that being a serviceman or woman is not a job but a mission.