NDU President MG Gregg Martin Meets with ASEAN Counterparts in Beijing

More than 70 leaders and representatives from the national defense universities, colleges and institutions of 21 ASEAN Regional Forum member countries met in Beijing this month to discuss the theme "National Security Strategy Education in a Changing World."

NDU President Major General Gregg Martin attended the meeting for the United States, accompanied by Dr. Cynthia Watson of the National War College, and Dr. Phil Saunders of the INSS Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs.

"The majority of the individual nations' presentations were on how to craft, execute, and evaluate curricula and courses— illustrating a growing concern in the region on the most effective and appropriate use of military resources," MG Martin said. "Everyone is acutely aware of the resource question."

MG Martin spoke on the topic "The Power of Ideas ... Shared," and on the hallmarks that distinguish NDU as an institution of excellence: breadth, diversity and location.

Describing how NDU benefited from an integrated network of campus support that includes that NDU Foundation, the Board of Visitors, and an "incredibly diverse and talented faculty and staff," Martin said "They are the ones who do greatness behind the scenes, out of the limelight—a joint, interagency, international, public, private, partner and ally combined TEAM whose combined experiences, professionalism and knowledge are greater than the sum of sum of their individual parts."

The 16th HDUCIM was hosted jointly by the National Defense University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Brunei Institute of Defense Strategic Studies, who will host the event next year. The 2011 meeting was hosted by the Indonesia Defense University. The U.S. National Defense University hosted the 14th HDUCIM at Fort McNair in 2010.