Training of foreign specialists

The admission of foreign citizens to study at the National University of Defense of Ukraine is carried out based on international agreements (contracts) between Ukraine and the respective countries, which envisage cooperation in the field of military education.

In this regard, a contract is concluded between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the military department of the foreign state or a specialized Ukrainian enterprise licensed to provide military and special-purpose services, which acts as an intermediary between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the military department of the foreign state, for the training of military specialists.

Based on the contractual agreements, the National Defense University of Ukraine provides training for foreign military specialists in master's degree programs at the strategic and operational levels of military education, in accredited basic directions (specialties), through full-time or part-time study.

The duration of the training varies from fourteen months to three years and is directly determined by the international agreements concluded.

Foreign citizens who do not speak Ukrainian have the opportunity to learn it by attending a preparatory course in Ukrainian language and specialized terminology, which lasts 8-10 months, as part of the university's foreign language courses. Upon completion of these courses, they can continue their education to obtain military education.

Taking into account the requirements of the regulatory documents regarding the training of masters, the following training procedure for foreign citizens has been implemented:

  • Training in the Ukrainian language and specialized terminology course program - not less than 8 months;
  • Preparation in the specified specialty - from 14 months and more.

The training of foreign military specialists, according to the terms of the contract, may be conducted with the assistance of Ukrainian or national interpreters. The most qualified and experienced academic staff of the university are involved in conducting training sessions with foreign military specialists.

The first intake of foreign students took place in 1997, and the first graduation was in 1999.

During this time, 123 specialists received master's degrees, including:
  • 6 individuals - received a full higher military strategic (operational-strategic) education;
  • 117 individuals - received a full higher military operational (operational-tactical) education.

Since the organization of training for specialists from foreign countries, 23 students have completed their studies with honors, and 7 students have graduate with honors and a gold medal.

The training of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel among foreign military specialists is conducted in the doctoral and postdoctoral programs of the university, which have appropriate research and experimental bases and highly qualified scientific staff. The training is carried out on the basis of intergovernmental agreements and in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dated December 9, 2022, No. 424 "On Approval of the Features of Training of Candidates for Higher Education Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences in Higher Military Educational Institutions, Military Educational Subdivisions of Higher Education Institutions, and Research Institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine."

Foreign military specialists who have a master's degree and at least two years of practical work experience in the field after completing higher education are eligible for admission to the postdoctoral program. They should demonstrate an inclination towards scientific and pedagogical activities. The duration of training for foreign military specialists in the doctoral program is two years, and in the postdoctoral program, it is four years.

Foreign military specialists who have successfully completed their training in the postdoctoral program (doctoral program) are considered those who have defended their dissertation in a specialized academic council within the established timeframe. The dissertation should be prepared in Ukrainian. Diplomas of Doctor of Philosophy (Doctor of Science) are processed and issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine after the content of the dissertation undergoes examination in accordance with the established procedure. Diplomas are presented to foreign military specialists at the university or handed over to their representatives according to the established procedure.

ЗTwo military servicemen from Georgia and one military serviceman from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka completed their postgraduate studies and obtained the academic degree of candidate of military sciences.

Additionally, the university provides training for foreign military specialists through professional military education courses, with a duration ranging from 6 to 10 months, and specialized training courses with durations ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, or as per the terms agreed upon with the contracting party through additional agreements.

During this time, 126 specialists have received training:

  • 96 were military personnel from the Republic of Hungary;
  • 30 were military personnel from the People's Republic of China who attended specialized training courses on assessing the degree of damage to objects.

Since 1997, a total of 249 foreign specialists have undergone training and professional development, including:

  • 4 military personnel and 1 civil servant from the Republic of Azerbaijan;
  • 48 military personnel from the People's Republic of China;
  • 1 military personnel from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
  • 4 military personnel from the Republic of Korea;
  • 1 military personnel from the United States of America;
  • 4 military personnel from the Republic of Kazakhstan;
  • 5 military personnel from the Republic of Moldova;
  • 96 military personnel from the Republic of Hungary;
  • 85 military personnel from the Republic of Georgia.