On the 2nd of December, 2009 in the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute discussions were held about the issues of “Transforming the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute into a RA MoD National Defence University through phased development”. Also, matters concerning the perspectives of the National Strategic Research Institute and some other issues were discussed. The members of experts’ group in NATO military education sphere in Armenia – the former dean of the Defence Academy in Canada, Doctor Jim Baret (head of the group), lecturer of the Defence Academy in Canada, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew McNail, expert of NATO International Secretariat, Lieutenant-Colonel Rene Kung, lecturer of the educational centre for peacekeeping activities located in Sarajevo, Mr. Vetschera and the coordinator of educational matters in NATO International Secretary, Mr. Jan Dandura took part in the discussions.

The head of the National Strategic Research Institute, Councillor of the RA Minister of Devence, Major-General Hayk Kotanjyan introduced the members of the experts’ group to the structure of the Institute, to the present activities and to its future plans. He gave a report on “The transformation program of the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute into a RA MoD National Defence University being an element of the defence education reforms in RA MoD system.” He emphasized the necessity of the suggestions made by the expert on the way of transforming the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute into a RA MoD National Defence University. The meeting went in a constructive atmosphere of exchanging professional ideas. RA MoD Department of Information and Public Affairs