; and (B) the waiver of the limitation in subsection (b) is necessary for national security, and there is no reasonable alternative to issuing the waiver. (d) Definitions (1) Chinese language program The term Chinese language program means any Department of Defense program designed to provide or support Chinese language instruction, including the National Security Education Program, the Language Flagship program, Project Global Officer, and the Language Training Centers program. (2) Confucius Institute The term Confucius Institute means a Confucius Institute that is operated by the Office of Chinese Languages Council International, also known as Hanban, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. (3) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). XI Civilian Personnel Matters A Department of Defense Matters 1101. Inapplicability of certification of executive qualifications by qualification review boards of Office of Personnel Management for initial appointments to Senior Executive Service positions in Department of Defense (a) Temporary inapplicability Notwithstanding section 3393(c) of title 5, United States Code, or any regulations implementing that section, and subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of Defense may appoint individuals for service in the Senior Executive Service of the Department of Defense without such individuals being subject to the certification of executive qualifications by a qualification review board of the Office of Personnel Management in connection with such appointment otherwise required by that section. (b) Qualifications of individuals appointed The Secretary shall ensure that individuals appointed under this section possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the position to which appointed. (c) Limitation The total number of appointments made under this section in any year may