University of Fire Prevention and Fighting renamed

The University of Fire Prevention and Fighting will become the Academy of Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue, making it the 6th academy within the People's Public Security system.

On 4/8, the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting announced the Prime Minister's decision on this matter.

The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security, the People's Committee of Hanoi, and relevant agencies are responsible for guiding and overseeing the transition. Their mandate includes preventing corruption, financial losses, and asset waste, while safeguarding the rights and interests of students and lecturers.

Under the Law on Higher Education, an academy is comparable to a university, providing education across multiple disciplines at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Academies, however, typically specialize in in-depth training and research within specific fields. Their organizational structure also differs; for instance, a university is led by a Rector, while an academy is led by a Director.

Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, stated that this transformation signifies a crucial advancement in quality, scale, and mission. It positions the institution as a premier human resource training center in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue.

He proposed establishing this institution as one of the six leading academies within the People's Public Security force, following the ongoing school restructuring. By 2030, the academy aims to become a hub for scientific research, technology application, and high-quality human resource development, offering specialized practical training and in-depth experimentation in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the academy's need to standardize its training programs. This includes prioritizing practical exercises, drills, and simulations of fire prevention, fighting technical operations and technologies. Furthermore, the academy should establish virtual laboratories and national key laboratories dedicated to this field.

Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Doctor Le Quang Bon, Director of the Academy of Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue, affirmed that this transformation represents both a source of pride and a significant responsibility and mission for the institution's entire staff.

"We pledge to dedicate our intellect, passion, and responsibility to building the academy into a key higher education institution for the People's Public Security force," Mr. Bon stated.

The Academy of Fire Prevention and Fighting was established in 1963. Its origins trace back to the Fire Prevention and Fighting Education Group, formed by the Ministry of Public Security and operating under the Faculty of People's Police at the Central Public Security School. Over time, the unit expanded, becoming a faculty, a branch campus, a non-commissioned officer school, a college, and finally the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting in 1999.

For the current admissions cycle, the academy plans to enroll 200 students, including 20 women. Last year's admission scores for the institution ranged from 19,75 to 24,23, a composite score derived from the Ministry of Public Security's assessment test and high school graduation examination results.

The Deputy Minister of Education and Training presents the Prime Minister's decision to the leadership of the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting. *Photo: Duong Tam*