PiattaformaCASD: DiAFR (ENG)

The Department of Higher Education & Research (Di.AFR – Direzione Alta Formazione e Ricerca), is responsible for the overall strategic planning, design, coordination and assessment of the educational offer, with a view to delivering continuous improvement of the educational programmes provided by the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.

The Di.AFR Department brings together and harmonizes the inputs delivered by the Defence higher authorities in a three-year Plan of Strategic Guidance for Higher Education & Research, which leads to a yearly Learning Plan as well as to a Plan of Teaching Activities specifically designed for each Institute of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies. As a result, on the basis of the recommendations and directions stemming from the above mentioned Plans, the Di.AFR Department is responsible for the overall strategic planning, design, coordination and assessment of the educational offer, with a view to delivering continuous improvement of the educational programmes provided by the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.

In line with the directions highlighted in the Plan of Strategic Guidance for Higher Education & Research, the Department provides the Steering Board of the Joint Services Staff Institute (ISSMI) with the necessary assistance in drawing up the ISSMI course programme.

Moreover, the Di.AFR is in charge of managing the liaisons with the University network as well as with the international “think hubs” affecting defence related subjects which are taught at the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.

In line with the priorities established by the Minister and with the directions provided by the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Di.AFR Department is assisted by the IRAD in the harmonization of the research activities to meet the needs of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies in terms of higher education offer.

The Di.AFR Department reports directly to the CASD President. It is led by a Brigadier General, and it is supported by a Secretariat office and 3 main Offices: Strategic planning, Guidance & Coordination; Teaching Planning & Organization; Teaching methodologies Development & Training Evaluation. Each Office is divided into Sections.

MANAGEMENT

Direttore Col. Antonio MASSIMO

Curriculum Vitae

OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING, GUIDANCE AND COORDINATION

This Office is part of the Director’s Staff to support the Steering Board activity.

It is responsible for the strategic planning of the overall educational offer of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies, in cooperation with the Office of Teaching Planning & Organization and the Office of Teaching Methodologies Development & Training Evaluation.

Moreover, as mandated by the Defence General Staff, the Office takes part in committees, meetings, seminars, working groups of the European Security Defence College and of the European Union Military Training Group;

The Office is divided into 3 Sections:

1) Strategic Planning, Guidance and Coordination

2) NATO/UE Internationalization

3) Civilian education & training and Cooperation with Public Administration bodies

OFFICE OF TEACHING PLANNING & ORGANIZATION

This Office is responsible for the overall planning, design and coordination of the educational offer, with a view to delivering continuous improvement of the educational programmes provided by the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.

The Office is divided into 3 Sections:

1) Higher Education Studies

2) Specialization Higher Studies

3) Miscellaneous courses

OFFICE OF TEACHING METHODOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING EVALUATION

This Office is responsible for monitoring and fostering innovation of the teaching methodologies of the CASD courses. It is also entrusted with the task of designing and planning the learning programmes on methodologies for the personnel involved in the CASD courses, as well with the task of providing teaching evaluation and a qualitative analysis of the courses. Moreover, it is responsible for planning, design, implementation and innovation of the digital aspects of the courses provided by the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.

The Office is divided into 3 Sections:

1) Teaching evaluation and quality audit

2) Teaching methodologies & digital training

3) Library

LANGUAGE SUPPORT LAB

SEGRETERIAT OFFICE:

The Secretariat Office takes care of the mail and contacts of the whole Department. Its duties include handling and storing personal information of internal personnel as well as of the students. It is the liaison office interacting with the other departments of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies.