January 30th – February 3rd  2023, the 9th iteration of " Introduction to the planning of joint operations" course was held at International Courses Department (ICD). As it is NATO approved course and is intended for NATO Member countries as well as NATO Partner countries, 20 nominees from Tunisia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Slovakia were nominated to this course.

Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina came thanks to the NATO-DEEP program - NATO Defense Education Enhancement Program, where LTC Martin Chovanec, the director of the AFA’s rector office is the Academic Lead for the field of Professional Military Education (PME) in Armed Forces of Bosna and Hercegovina.

The aim of this short-term course was to familiarize participants with NATO doctrines and procedures and to prepare them for the NATO planning process. The graduates of the course have gained the knowledge, which enables them to work within the Joint Operational Planning Group at the International Headquarters and to prepare operational plans that include all relevant factors for effective and successful execution of joint NATO operations and help to implement the planning processes in practice.

The course was completed on February 3rd, 2023 by ceremonial address of the Vice-Rector for Education of AFA, COL Aurel Sabo.  Course completion certificates were handed over to all students and COL Sabo expressed his belief that every end is a new beginning, and what the students have learned in the course, they will apply in practice, whether with the current units or during their deployment abroad. After the official part, he also discussed with foreign students informally about their satisfaction with the course, their military functions at home countries, but also their impressions of Slovakia, Liptov and our Academy.

The students rated the quality of the course highly, even though the volume of information in such a short time was not easy to handle. However, the teaching methods and approach of the instructors of International Courses Department was highly appreciated by the students. Foreign students were also pleased with a friendly reception in Slovakia and help in securing their trip and stay in Liptovsky Mikulas.