As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between academia and the professional world, a workshop on the topic of “Personnel and Social Policy in the Ministry of Defense” was held on May 4, 2026. The event was led by PhDr. Dominika Pažická Černáková, PhD., who serves as General State Advisor and Head of the Social Analysis Department at the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic. The workshop attracted over 70 full-time and part-time students from all three study programs offered by the faculty. At the beginning of the event, Dr. Pažická provided a comprehensive overview of the activities of the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic, with a particular focus on the Ministry’s Personnel and Social Affairs Section. She explained to the students the processes involved in adopting strategic documents, emphasizing the influence of international documents from the EU and the UN Security Council on national defense policy.
During her lecture, the speaker focused on two key areas:
- Implementation of projects aimed at promoting equal opportunity in the armed forces..
- Social projects designed to support male and female service members, their family members, and military veterans.
A significant portion of the workshop was devoted to discussion. The students were interested in the daily routine at the ministry, but the discussion also touched on sensitive professional topics, such as programs for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and ways to encourage them to seek treatment. The interactive nature of the event was underscored by a final quiz, with the winner taking home commemorative gifts.
A major benefit for students in their final year is Dr. Pažická’s offer to consult on thesis topics directly with her department, which will allow students to work with real data and experiences from the ministry. At the same time, the opportunity to complete professional internships at the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic was presented. Immediately following the workshop, five students expressed interest in this form of education. Other interested parties may continue to address their applications to Mgr. Gizela Brutovská, PhD., assistant professor at the Faculty of Public Administration.
