The National University of Public Service expands with a twenty-five thousand square metre building complex

The foundation stone of the Special Training Centre for Disaster Management was laid in Orczy Garden at the National University of Public Service during a ceremony. Speeches were given at the event by Balázs Orbán, the Prime Minister’s political director and the person exercising the university’s governing rights, and Gergely Deli, Rector of the NKE.

As we reported earlier, the main contractor for the 25,000-square-metre building complex is will be ZÁÉV Építőipari Zrt.. The government decision to establish the Special Training Centre for Disaster Management and the Institute for Disaster Management was taken back in 2016. The plans for the building complex were drawn up by Óbuda Építész Stúdió Kft. created by.

The university will continue to develop and provide housing for people living in the area

"The Ludovika Campus is the result of nearly a decade and a half of development by the Hungarian government," said Balázs Orbán, the Prime Minister's Political Director, in his welcome speech. He added that with considerable sacrifices, the brownfield area of Budapest, Józsefváros, the degraded natural and built environment, which was present as an "urban landscape pocket", has been completely renewed as a result of the development.

Development work is continuing, and a bill is to be tabled before the National Assembly that will enable the renewal of dilapidated properties in the area. Balázs Orbán said that the government is looking after those who live in the areas affected by the development work, so that they can live in conditions befitting the 21st century.

The rehabilitation of the area is taking place in parallel with the construction

"A great construction site is always a great opportunity for a person or a community to set the dream of a new life in stone" - László Németh opened his toast with the words of Gergely Deli, Rector of the National University of Public Service. He added that an old dream has been fulfilled with the laying of the foundation stone of the training centre, and with the start of construction, the 12 years of intellectual work of the Disaster Management Institute and the teaching and research activities of the Institute for National Security can continue in a modern environment, in conditions worthy of outstanding professional work.

The building complex is the final element of the Ludovika Campus project, an important step in the restoration of the university's environment.

Gergely Deli said, "The construction of the institute also coincides with the start of a new campus expansion project, the Ludovika Ring, which includes investments related to the István Nemeskürty Teacher Training Faculty. The Institute for Disaster Management will be indispensable for the start of teacher training and will provide the infrastructural basis for it."

Orczy Park to be renovated

The Rector added that the new buildings will be built with respect for the past, traditions and rehabilitation efforts. The Auditorium will be built in the traditional architectural style, while the historic park will be created in the style of the former ornamental garden. Orczy Park will be renovated and will remain open to the public. The investment is the future of higher education in disaster management in Hungary.

In addition to classrooms and administrative offices for educational purposes, the complex will also include professional offices, a functioning fire station, a psychic training ground, a fire laboratory, a 200-person dormitory and a sports complex, a first in Europe.

Balázs Orbán, Political Director to the Prime Minister; Gergely Deli, Rector; Gábor Deák, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZÁÉV; Balázs Korim, Secretary-General of the National University of Public Service (NKE); and Henrik Rósa, Director-General of the Campus, laid the time capsule. It contained the conceptual plan for the Special Centre for Disaster Management, the National Creed, the Institute of Disaster Management’s 2024 educational portfolio, and the institution’s organisational structure.

A glass bridge connects the buildings

The university will be extended with a seven-storey building, divided into two main parts. The Auditorium will house lecturers and classrooms. The other block will house the main building of the Institute of Disaster Management, which will have three units: the dormitory, the education wing and the fire and operations wing. The buildings will be connected by a glass bridge.

The Education Wing will house the educational and administrative units of the Institute of National Security and the Institute of Disaster Management, as well as a canteen and a hot food kitchen. While the fire brigade wing will also include a psychic training room, a fire laboratory and a training fire station.

Rebuilding the Illés Well

An intensive green roof is also planned, as well as a 7,000 square metre stepped garden. The Illés Fountain, which will be transported from the courtyard of the Hungarian Museum of Natural History and rebuilt, will be the centrepiece of the recharge area. In addition, the contractor will be responsible for installing a replica of the wooden fountain in the retaining wall of the Buda Castle in Szentháromság Square in the rebuilt well house.

In 2016, it was decided to build the specialised training centre

The government decided in 2012 to locate the National University of Public Service on the Ludovika Campus. The state investment included the historic reconstruction of the former Royal Hungarian Honvéd Ludovika Academy building and the construction of a 600-seat dormitory on Orczy út. The Ludovika project included the construction of the new Education Centre, the Law Enforcement Education Building and the Dormitory, and the opening of new sports facilities, the Riding School and the renewed Orczy Park.

Five departments train disaster management professionals

The Institute of Disaster Management comprises five university departments (Disaster Management Operations, Fire and Rescue Management, Fire Engineering, Fire Engineering, and Industrial Safety) and a Department of Training Organisation. At the National University of Public Service, the bachelor's programme started in the academic year 2013-14, where students can choose between specialisations in disaster management operations, fire and rescue management and industrial safety. The master's programme provides the knowledge required to manage and lead disaster management organisations.