Santo Domingo. – The Ministry of Defense (MIDE), through the “General Juan Pablo Duarte y Díez” National University for Defense (UNADE), celebrated its XXI Ordinary Joint Graduation this day, in an act that reaffirms the commitment of the Dominican State to military higher education as a fundamental axis of security, democracy and national development.
During the solemn ceremony they were invested 266 professionalsof which 177 corresponded to postgraduate programsbetween master’s degrees and specialties, and 89 academic graduates. These were added 117 military interns of the XVI Promotion of the Professional Education and Training Program of the Armed Forces “Gran General Restaurador Gregorio Luperón”, from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
In total, the event incorporated 383 new professionals and military internswho will reinforce the strategic capabilities of the Armed Forces, the National Police and State security agencies.
The activity was headed by Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, ERDMinister of Defense, representing the Dominican Government. The keynote address was given by Major General Dr. Rafael Vásquez Espínola, ERDrector of UNADE, who stated that each graduation constitutes “an act of affirmation of the Homeland,” by consolidating education as an instrument to preserve peace and strengthen democratic institutions.
Continuous training and academic projection
UNADE reported that during the 2025 academic year a total of 2,692 military and civilians, national and foreignwere trained through continuing education programs, postgraduate degrees, specialized courses, technical diplomas and training in areas such as defense, security, human rights, geopolitics and institutional management.
With these results, the educational system of the Ministry of Defense exceeds the 206,346 historical graduatesconsolidating itself as a regional reference in the training of strategic leaders with a democratic vision.
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Recognitions and posthumous tribute
During the ceremony, titles were awarded in areas such as National Security and Defense, Geopolitics, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, as well as in Command and Joint Staff, Land, Naval and Air.
Diplomas were also awarded to 74 teachers trained in the UNADE Educational Model and in Management and Administration of Defense Resources, strengthening institutional academic quality.
The event was attended by foreign officials, evidencing the international prestige of UNADE. Likewise, an emotional posthumous tribute was paid to the frigate captain Jordy Alexis Abreu Estrella, ARDwhose degree of Specialty in Command and Joint Chiefs of Staff was received by his relatives.
Finally, special recognitions were granted to the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Fernández Onofre, and the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Franklin García Ferminfor its support to strengthen higher education and military and civil professionalization.
The ceremony concluded with the oath of the graduates, who reaffirmed their commitment to the Homeland, the Constitution and the highest ethical and professional values.
