Presentations by Dr. Martin Nassua, Director of Academic Exchanges, and Professor Dr. Klaus Beckmann, Director of the Center for Scientific Further Education at the Helmut Schmidt University (HSU), about US-German military exchanges and online study programs. The Fellows presented the Education Memo and received feedback.
Dr. Nassua opened on a biographical note, citing his own story of being raised in Texas. He characterized German attitudes towards the US as “grateful” for the Marshall Plan. He noted one of the challenges he faces in expanding exchange programs is that it requires adding more study tracks in English at HSU. HSU currently conducts exchanges with West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy and the RMC, among others
He sees exchange programs as a way of combating prejudices (although his office does not conduct follow-up work upon student’s return to see if this is effective).
Manuel and Carolyn presented recommendations from the Education Memo, Dr. Nassua spoke favorably of them and related the recommendation for a common curriculum to collaboration between France and West Germans on textbooks in 1960s.
Dr. Beckmann is charged with designing and implementing programs for furthering education; this takes place in three areas:
- military leadership and international security
- MA civilian-military interaction (with NATO) for J-9s (crisis and disaster relief operations)
- leadership in medicine
He showed great pride in success of program and quality of students, who complete it in addition to their normal duties.
