At the Forefront of Military Sciences – the National Defence University
The National Defence University (NDU) is a higher education institution that focuses on military sciences and operates as a part of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its key mission is to produce highly educated personnel for the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard.
The National Defence University’s studies combine academic theory with practical training. The University also educates leaders for special duties. Research is also an important part of the University’s tasks, and it makes effective use of the latest military theory in its teaching activities. The University’s third task is societal influence.
Versatile research fields
The National Defence University contains 3 departments whose research activities can be divided into 8 research fields:
- Operational art and tactics
- Military history
- Leadership
- Military pedagogy
- Military technology
- Military economics
- Strategic studies
- Military sociology
The National Defence University also carries out research in other fields, such as military medicine and logistics. However, the University does not draw any precise boundaries between its different research fields, as many of today’s security issues demand several different viewpoints.
Close research collaboration in Finland and abroad
The National Defence University’s research activities support Finland’s military defence capabilities and the security and safety of Finnish society. It applies the results of its research in a versatile manner for the needs of both the Finnish Defence Forces and Finnish society at large.
The National Defence University’s research activities are increasingly diversified and complemented by its research cooperation with selected partners and the partial inclusion of external funding in its research projects and efforts. External funding enhances the University’s ability to rapidly react to changing situations and information needs.
The National Defence University is an active participant in research cooperation with both national and international civilian and military universities and academic research institutes. This close cooperation contributes to the practical implementation of the University’s high-quality research results for Defence Forces’ needs.
In Finland, the National Defence University engages in research cooperation with both civilian universities and various research institutes and units. Its international cooperation network is built on active cooperation in research and teaching, especially with Nordic and European war colleges.