SHAPE's Military Partnership Division visits Tunisia

The Military Partnerships team,  led by Norwegian Army Major General Odd Egil Pedersen,  Director NATO Military Partnerships,  take a photo with students at the Tunisian Armed Forces Staff College and War College. (Courtesy photo)

TUNIS, Tunisia -The Military Partnerships team, led by Norwegian Army Major General Odd Egil Pedersen, Director NATO Military Partnerships, visited the Tunisian Armed Forces Staff College and War College November 21 to 23, 2018, to brief the students on NATO operations and partnerships.

During the visit, the NATO team was briefed by each commandant on the aims of their establishments whose students range from OF3 to OF6.

"Tunisia is a highly valued member of the Mediterranean Dialogue and I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism, and military awareness of the students in both institutions,” said Major General Pedersen. "The organisation and approach of both college’s to military education and their appetite for more is most encouraging. I am also very pleased to see our NATO DEEP (Defence Education and Enhancement Programme) Team providing direct support to the Colleges.”

The Tunisian Staff and War Colleges accept students from over 20 nations and follow a joint-force approach to all studies. The colleges were formed in 1977 with some 87 students graduating each year with participation including Tunisian government organisations.

"The opportunity for my Tunisian officers, and fellow students from other countries, to hear about NATO is very valuable,” said Senior Colonel Mohemed GhaeiSaid, Tunisian Army Staff College Commandant. "They are the future leaders, and events like this enhances our education.

"We, in both colleges, fully understand the importance of wider military awareness, and to share our experiences, which in turn reinforces our understanding of each other and reinforces global security," the commandant added.