Luanda – At least 30 cadets from the African Portuguese Speaking Community (Palop) will be attending the 2010 academic year at the Higher Techno-military Institute (ISTM), that opened officially Wednesday in Luanda.

 
The cadets joining the ISTM for the fist time in three years of its existence come from Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe.

 
Addressing the academic year opening ceremony, the chief of the Department of Preparation of Troops and Training of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) General Staff, gen. Adriano Mackenzie, said the presence of cadets from Palop imparts an international recognition of vital
importance to the affirmation of the institution.

 
In his turn, ISTM commander, lt.-general Américo Valante, said the Palop intakes make the institution greater and increases its responsibility.

 
A total of 250 second-year cadets are registered for the 2010 academic year, while 334 are attending the first year, all of them Angolans, in the courses of  engineering and health sciences, in the specialities of mechanics, electrotechnics, construction, computers and medicine.

 
Established on May 15, 2008 and located at Grafanil Military Camp, in Luanda, the ISTM is tasked with training cadets in various specialities that secure them with the scientific and technological skills.

The ceremony was attended by FAA generals and high ranking officers, lecturers and guests.