News archive 2022
Visit of the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania at the Military Academy
2022 12 14
On 14 December, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen visited the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania.
During the meeting with the Academy's management, the speaker got acquainted with the activities of this higher education institution and the university studies and military training organised there; international cooperation, implemented projects, achieved results and new challenges were also discussed. Scientific research activities, which contribute to the education of students, are also important to the Academy, and involve ongoing studies that are significant to national security and defence.
In presenting the system of training future officers, Brig Gen Almantas Leika, who is the head of the academy, pointed out that a large number of young people are looking to become professional officers and are proactively choosing studies at the Academy on their own initiative. A leadership development programme – which is very important for the army in training commanding officer – is combined with military training, which is given special attention, and university studies. This is the only university in Lithuania that offers this opportunity.
As future officers and leaders, the cadets found Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen's personal experience interesting and useful, especially her leadership skills both in the Seimas and for the party she represents. Therefore, after the speaker met with the Academy community, the cadets organised a discussion with her about personal leadership, her experience in choosing the path of a politician and, of course, her professionalism and initiative as a chess master, which is always needed to achieve the set goal.
The meeting also touched upon a topic that is relevant to everyone these days – the war in Ukraine, where the importance of leadership is visible, when professional leaders know how to make important decisions and allocate them to their subordinates, all the while remaining loyal to them and their country. This is one of the examples that corresponds to the principles of the leadership programme, which are also applied at the Lithuanian Military Academy in training cadets and preparing them for service in the Lithuanian army.
After the discussion, the cadets challenged Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, as a chess grandmaster, to a duel. A simultaneous exhibition took place at the meeting. The representative of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania confirmed that in a chess match, you need to be able to tolerate stress and maintain self-control, and this develops many of the human qualities that are necessary in different life situations.
Photos: Eimantas Genys
