From 13 to 17 July 2026, a group of officers and staff members from the Fire University participated in an Erasmus+ mobility programme at Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov" in Bulgaria. The visit was a return visit following the April stay at the Fire University of Prof. Sabina Nedkova from the Faculty of Technical Sciences, a specialist in technical safety and disaster protection. During her visit to the Fire University, Prof. Nedkova became acquainted with the University's activities and visited the Chemical Rescue Laboratory, as well as the Rescue Equipment and Emergency Medical Services training laboratories.
The delegation from the Fire University was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Svetlana Zheleva, Vice-Rector for Research, Projects and Innovation, who presented the activities of Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov" – the largest university in south-eastern Bulgaria. During the mobility, participants learned about the University's development directions, including the activities of the dynamically developing Faculty of Medicine and specialised research laboratories, such as the Water Analysis and Microplastics Pollution Laboratory, the Aquaculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, and the Technical Safety and Disaster Protection Laboratory.
The programme also included a tour of the modern facilities of the Faculty of Medicine, where students of medicine, paramedicine, and nursing receive their education. The guests had the opportunity to learn about the system of practical training in patient care and emergency response, using modern teaching methods and specialised equipment.
The mobility programme also included working meetings and presentations dedicated to the activities of both universities. 1LT Adrian Osiński, MSc Eng., presented the profile of the Fire University, with particular emphasis on the cadet education system and the ongoing admission process. COL Prof. Marzena Półka, PhD, DSc, presented the structure and activities of the Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, introduced the work of the Department of Combustion Processes, which she heads, and discussed the scientific research conducted by the department. Associate Professor Weronika Jakubczak, PhD, DSc, presented her research interests, focusing on issues related to Nonviolent Communication (NVC). In turn, MAJ Radosław Makowski, MSc Eng., Head of the Department of Command, Firefighting Operations and Communications, presented the rescEU DSIM project concerning the preparation of an EU module for responding to CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) threats.
The visit also provided an opportunity to present the Erasmus+ activities carried out by both universities. During a meeting with Prof. Dr. Stoyanka Petkova-Georgieva, Director of the International Cooperation Office, representatives of the Fire University's Erasmus+ Team – Olimpia Mnich and Iwona Hermanowicz – discussed opportunities for further developing cooperation with the partner institution in Burgas.
The cooperation between the two universities is already producing tangible results. In May this year, students of the Internal Security programme participated in a short-term mobility at Burgas State University, where they became familiar with the organisation of the educational process and the specific characteristics of the Bulgarian higher education institution.
The July mobility was another important step in developing the partnership between the Fire University and Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov". The meetings enabled the exchange of experiences and good practices, as well as the identification of further areas of cooperation. Their outcomes will include further initiatives aimed at organising student and staff mobilities, implementing joint scientific and educational projects, and strengthening the international dimension of both universities' activities.
