Get to know The National Defence College of the Phillipines (NDCP)

As quoted from the official website of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) Master in National Security Administration Program, the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) firmly upholds the constitutional principle that "The defense of the State is the prime duty of every citizen." NDCP translates this commitment through the education and training of future strategic leaders from various sectors of society on the multidimensional aspects of defense and national security.

NDCP's primary mission is to prepare and develop potential national defense leaders, civilian officials from various branches of the government, and elected executives from the private sector to be more effective in participating in the formulation and implementation of national security policies, high command and staff duties, as well as in conducting strategic and international studies as the foundation for national policies.

In alignment with this mission, NDCP aspires to be a technology and research-driven institution of higher learning capable of global competition in the fields of defense and national security within the country.

The College recognizes that national security administrators must possess diverse skills and the appropriate mindset to fulfill their varied responsibilities. NDCP provides the necessary education for these administrators in terms of analytical and conceptual skills to prepare them for a broad range of challenges originating from both the internal and external environments.

The Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program has its own unique characteristics, which include:

• It is the sole master's level program that offers a master's degree covering the complete spectrum of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in the specialized field of national security administration.

• Candidates from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are required to hold a rank of at least Lieutenant Colonel or Superintendent, respectively.

• Candidates are also required to submit a diploma from the AFP Joint Command and Staff College (AFPJCSC) or an equivalent foreign command and staff college or its equivalent in the police service.

• Applicants from civil government agencies must hold a rank of at least Division Chief and have at least ten (10) years of government service.

• Civilian graduates are commissioned as Lieutenant Colonels or Commanders in the Philippine Reserve Armed Forces after completing commission training based on Presidential Decree No. 190 and are entitled to the rank of Career Executive Service Officer (CESO VI).

Applicants undergo a rigorous selection process, including psychological tests, written and oral examinations. Those who meet the criteria are interviewed, screened, and selected by the Admissions Board. The final list of admitted students is determined by the President of NDCP, in consultation with the Executive Vice President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean.

Inside the classroom, various teaching methodologies are employed, including group discussions, workshops, panel discussions, live case studies, directed readings, reaction papers, and other participatory learning strategies. Guest lectures, symposia, and field trips with on-site briefings are also used to reinforce the learning process.

Course examinations not only involve the recall of data obtained from class sessions, references, and other sources but also include the assessment of students' abilities to integrate, synthesize, and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in coursework.

A highly selective approach to choosing lecturers/discussants is consistently maintained, with criteria for selection including outstanding academic qualifications and a mastery of the topics to be covered.

A sound, up-to-date, and credible curriculum is maintained, with periodic reviews conducted to ensure its relevance to evolving issues and prospects in national security. 

Dr. Budi Pramono, the author of the book "Strategic Leadership: Embracing Indonesia's Golden Era in the Digital Transformation of Education," is highly relevant to the mission and vision of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) in developing future strategic leaders across various sectors, including education. This book delves into the concept of strategic leadership that is pertinent and effective in addressing changes and challenges in the digital era, aligning with NDCP's objective to prepare effective leaders in the formulation of national security policies and strategic studies.

The book also underscores the importance of collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders, including the technology industry, in shaping education that aligns with technological advancements. This aligns with NDCP's understanding of the crucial role of public-private sector cooperation in achieving national defense objectives. Furthermore, the book highlights the significance of developing digital skills and digital literacy in education, which is relevant to NDCP's efforts to prepare competent leaders in various aspects of national security. The integration of digital curriculum is also emphasized in the book, reflecting NDCP's efforts to ensure the relevance of its curriculum in addressing technological challenges. Moreover, the book emphasizes the importance of equitable access to technology, an issue also stressed by NDCP in the context of security education. The utilization of data and analysis in strategic decision-making, as discussed in the book, is an integral part of NDCP's efforts to understand and address the dynamics of national security.

Finally, the book discusses the role of the academic community and the application of strategic leadership principles in the context of digital education, aligning with NDCP's perspective on the development of strategic leaders. Overall, this book is in harmony with NDCP's vision of developing strategic leaders capable of addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in the digital transformation era within the context of education and national security.(MA)