MW COE and FGES sign Letter of Cooperation to strengthen Academic and Military Collaboration
The NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (MW COE) has taken an important step in expanding its academic and outreach engagement by signing a Letter of Cooperation with the Faculty of Government and European Studies (FGES) of the New University. The Letter of Cooperation was formally signed on 8 April 2026 by the Director of MW COE, Colonel Leon Holc, and the Dean of FGES, Associate Professor Dr. Liliana Brožič. This agreement establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the two institutions, reinforcing the link between military expertise and academic knowledge within both Slovenian and international environments.
The cooperation reflects MW COE’s strategic intent to broaden its communication reach and enhance public awareness of mountain warfare and NATO’s wider agenda. By engaging with academic forums, the Centre aims to bring its specialized knowledge closer to students, researchers, and the wider intellectual community. This partnership enables MW COE to more effectively disseminate its expertise, research outputs, and operational insights beyond the traditional military domain.
Through this collaboration, MW COE, as the only NATO-accredited organization in the broader Southeast European region, will gain access to a wider Slovenian and international audience through joint participation in academic forums, congresses, and conferences. FGES, with its focus on governance, international relations, and European studies, represents an ideal partner for amplifying key messages related to security, defence policy, and the evolving role of NATO. Academic platforms provide a critical environment for informed discussion, critical thinking, and the exchange of ideas—elements that are essential for strengthening societal understanding of contemporary security challenges.
At the same time, the agreement creates tangible benefits for FGES lecturers and students. The Letter of Cooperation opens the door to their participation in a wide range of MW COE activities, including workshops, specialized courses, battlefield tours, and war-gaming laboratories. These opportunities offer a unique bridge between theoretical academic study and practical military application.
Participation in such activities allows students to deepen their understanding of military science and the art of warfare, particularly in the demanding context of mountain operations. Exposure to real-world scenarios, operational planning processes, and NATO-standard methodologies provides invaluable experience that cannot be replicated in a purely classroom-based environment. For lecturers, the cooperation offers additional avenues for professional development, research collaboration, and curriculum enrichment.
Moreover, the partnership lays the groundwork for joint academic and research initiatives under broader NATO and European Union frameworks. The Letter of Cooperation is a practical instrument that supports the development of collaborative projects, publications, and knowledge-sharing activities. It enables both institutions to contribute more effectively to ongoing discussions on security, resilience, and defence innovation at the international level.
This alignment with NATO and EU priorities enhances the relevance and impact of academic work conducted within FGES, while simultaneously supporting MW COE’s mission to act as a hub of expertise in mountain warfare. By integrating academic perspectives with operational experience, the partnership contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of modern security challenges.
The signing of this Letter of Cooperation marks a significant milestone in strengthening civil-military cooperation in Slovenia and beyond. It demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering dialogue, and building capacity in the field of security and defence.
As both institutions move forward with the implementation of this agreement, the collaboration is expected to generate long-term value—enhancing education, supporting research excellence, and promoting a deeper understanding of NATO’s role in addressing current and future challenges.
