The NATO Quality Assurance (QA) Community of Interest reached a remarkable milestone during the QA Forum 2025, held in Helsinki, Finland, with the ceremonial presentation of the NATO Quality Assurance Specialist (NQAS) Awards and Insignias. This was the second such ceremony, following the historic inaugural event held in Sarajevo, where Lieutenant Colonel Amer Riković became the first individually certified NATO QA Specialist and received his certificate and insignias.
In a distinguished and solemn ceremony, three professionals, selected from the PoE, were formally recognized as the first group of individuals to achieve the prestigious title of NATO Quality Assurance Specialist, a certification valid for six years and representing the highest professional recognition attainable within NATO’s QA Community of Interest.
The official certificates and insignias, signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Multi-Domain Force Development (DCOS MDFD), on behalf of the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), underscore the strategic significance and credibility of this distinguished accreditation.
The awards were personally presented by Colonel Esapekka Vehkaoja (FIN-A), Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT), Major Oliver Wild (DEU-A), Head of the QA Section at HQ SACT MDFD, and Lieutenant Colonel Amer Riković (BIH-A), NATO HQ SACT NQASP Manager. In their remarks, they highlighted the awardees’ exceptional dedication, expertise, and long-standing contribution to strengthening the Quality Assurance framework across NATO’s Education and Training Domain.
This landmark event not only celebrated individual excellence but also marked a significant step forward in institutionalizing NATO’s Quality Assurance Standards within its Education and Training System. By officially recognizing NATO Certified Specialists, NATO reaffirms its steadfast commitment to transparency, credibility, and excellence in the development and delivery of Education and Training across the Alliance.
The introduction of this certification reflects NATO’s broader vision of transformation, empowering experts, promoting consistency, and ensuring mission-ready standards across all domains of learning.
