NZDF teaching contract renewed
The Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Science's Centre for Strategic Studies will continue to teach its Master of Strategic Studies to students of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Advanced Command and Staff College. After a successful first three years, the contract has now been renewed for a further two years.
It was the strength of the partnership between the CSS and the NZDF that was a key factor in the contract renewal. “Over the last three years, staff at the NZDF Command and Staff College and Victoria University of Wellington’s Centre for Strategic Studies have engaged closely to deliver a programme that is consistently rated as Highly Effective,” says Wing Commander Aaron Young, Commandant of the Command and Staff College.
“The exceptionally close relationship underpins the NZDF’s capstone professional development programme, and as such is critically important to defence and security outcomes.”
Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Science's Dean Professor Sarah Leggott, who recently visited the Trentham Military Camp with the CSS Director to discuss the contract renewal, is also delighted that this strong partnership will continue. “I congratulate both our FHSS colleagues and the NZDF personnel for their strong commitment to this relationship, and we look forward to further building our partnership with the Staff College over the coming years.”
Although most of the teaching to the NZDF students takes place at the Trentham Military camp, students are encouraged to make use of the University campus and the CSS, like any other student. “It’s been good for our Kelburn-based Strategic Studies students to have the chance to meet their NZDF counterparts to exchange ideas and talk about their shared interests. I think NZDF students have also valued the chance to come to seminars and talks that the CSS has organised,” says Associate Professor Capie.
A highlight from the first three years of delivery was having the NZDF students graduate at the University’s graduation ceremony. “The long line of uniforms waiting to cross the stage made quite an impression. It was a sign of how much this degree is valued that students came from all around the country and from Malaysia and Papua New Guinea to graduate with their classmates,” says Associate Professor Capie.