WORLD> Africa
Zimbabwe plans to build national defense college
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-21 17:31

HARARE -- Zimbabwe's plans to establish a National Defense College, the highest specialized professional military learning center, are at an advanced stage with land and some buildings already set aside for the purpose, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has said.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of the 21st Joint Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare on Thursday, Mugabe said the ever-changing geopolitical environment, warfare tactics and technological innovation demanded systematic review of defense systems, The Herald reported on Friday.

"I am equally informed that plans to establish the National Defense College, the highest specialized professional military learning institution, have reached an advanced stage," said Mugabe who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces.  

The University of Zimbabwe and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe have already donated land and some buildings for the purpose. This will complement the efforts of this institution at higher levels, he said.

Graduates from the Zimbabwe Staff College would be involved in the formulation of the grand strategy to establish the National Defense College and efficient utilization of national resources necessary to implement the system.

Mugabe said the professional development of military officers was largely attributed to the strategic partnership and association existing between the Zimbabwe Staff College and the University of Zimbabwe.

As an associate college of the University of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Staff College has so far successfully run five intakes of Diploma in Defense, Adult Education with 93 students graduating.

It has also had two intakes of the Diploma in Defense and Security Studies with 51 officers graduating while 16 graduated from intake 1 of Bachelor of Adult Education (Defense Education) degree.

The second intake of the degree program is still running. It is hoped that a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Defense and Security Studies would be introduced soon, Mugabe said.

He expressed gratitude to University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura for providing necessary professional guidance and support to the college.

"I am reliably informed that plans are at an advanced stage to enhance the Joint Command and Staff Course curriculum with academic modules in Defense and Security Studies. This is in line with development trends at various staff colleges worldwide, the main aim being to develop a versatile officer who can be employed in any sector within and outside the Defense Forces," he said.