The effectiveness of training Lao People's Army students at the Border Guard Academy

Over the past 20 years, since the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army issued Directive No. 64/CT-TM on April 24, 2004 on assigning the task of training and fostering Lao People's Army officers to training institutions within the Vietnam People's Army, the Border Guard Academy (BPA) has received and trained Lao People's Army officers with 7 graduate courses, 19 undergraduate courses and many training courses for border management officers, border gates, border reconnaissance, command-staff and border teachers.

From 2020 to present, on the basis of the 5-year Defense Cooperation Protocol and the Annual Cooperation Plan between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Lao Ministry of National Defense, the Border Guard Academy has received 40 military bachelor's degree students; 85 officers have been trained and educated at the Border Guard Academy in the majors signed between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense.

Short-term training course on command and staff of campaigns and strategies, course 6, Lao People's Army, practical research at the Military Command of Nam Dinh province. Photo: Internret.

In recent years, implementing the directives of the Ministry of National Defense and the Border Guard Command (BĐBP) on cooperation in training Lao People's Army (LPA) students, the Party Committee and Board of Directors of the Border Guard Academy (BPA) have focused on directing and fully implementing the requirements and tasks on organizing training and managing Lao students. Along with that, organizing, implementing and promptly supplementing, adjusting and resolving shortcomings and limitations in the process of organizing training and managing international students, in order to ensure that international students have the best learning conditions according to regulations. Thereby, the quality of training has been increasingly improved, Lao People's Army students have proactively grasped knowledge in the classroom, actively studied and reviewed.

Lao People's Army students visit the Traditional Room of the Academy during the first education session of the course. Photo: Quang Sao

The training of Lao People's Army students at the Vietnam Border Academy has brought many positive results, not only for Laos but also for Vietnam. The training program helps Lao students access modern knowledge on border protection, security and state management of border defense. This enhances the capacity of the Lao border force in performing its tasks, protecting border stability and fighting all kinds of crimes. The training of Lao students at the Border Academy is also a manifestation of the solidarity and friendship between the two countries. Through the learning and exchange process, students not only learn professional knowledge but also understand more about culture, customs and practices, as well as strengthen the bond between the two armies. When the Lao border force is well-trained and has in-depth knowledge, the ability to coordinate between Vietnam and Laos in ensuring border security will also be enhanced. This is important in dealing with transnational issues such as smuggling, drugs and organized crime. A strong and professionally trained border force will contribute to maintaining security and order in border areas, facilitating economic development and trade between the two countries. This not only benefits each country but also creates a sustainable development environment for the border community. The Vietnam Border Guard Academy not only provides theoretical knowledge but also shares practical experiences in border work. This helps Lao students grasp effective methods in border management and protection. Training Lao students contributes to building a team of officers with good leadership and management skills in the border force, thereby meeting the development requirements of Laos in the context of international integration. This training work does not stop at training one course but also creates a foundation for long-term cooperation in the future, contributing to the implementation of other cooperation programs in many fields between Vietnam and Laos. In the coming time, the trend of globalization and international integration is increasingly deep and wide, in order to well perform the task of international cooperation in training Lao People's Army students at the Border Guard Academy to meet the requirements of international training cooperation in the new situation. In the coming time, the Border Guard Academy will focus on thoroughly grasping and implementing the policies of the Party, State, and Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos on strengthening solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, the special friendship, and good traditions between Vietnam and Laos; regularly leading and directing the review and development of programs, textbooks, and teaching materials to serve the training and fostering of international students; Research and propose innovations in training programs, fostering and training Lao People's Army students with many types of training... It can be affirmed that the training of Lao People's Army students at the Vietnam Border Academy not only improves capacity but also contributes to tightening cooperation, thereby ensuring security in border areas and promoting socio-economic development of both countries./.

Kim Oanh