LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Department of Defence Law and Administration

Lieutenant Colonel Ferenc PETRUSKA, PhD

Assistant Professor, Head of Department

Contact Details:

Office: H-1101 Budapest, Hungária krt. 9-11., Zrínyi Campus, Building „A”, Room 451.

Phone: (+36)-1-432-9000 / extension 29-202 E-mail: Petruska.Ferenc@uni-nke.hu

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Department of Defence Law and Administration!

The rapid evolution of defense and security systems over the past decade, the integration of economic and social expertise, and the heightened security awareness within these spheres have significantly increased the importance of training in defense law and administration. The dynamic nature of change and the growing complexity of state and non-state threats require a radical strengthening of defense research and a thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks. Recent security developments, the evolving activities of NATO, and the European Union’s defense ambitions all necessitate a renewal of regulations and structures. This transformation requires not only the development of physical capabilities but also the modernization of defense regulations and related scientific support—areas where our Department’s staff, in cooperation with the Faculty, make substantial contributions.

The University's governing bodies decided to establish the Department in the spring of 2017. The Senate of the Ludovika University of Public Service approved this decision on April 13, 2017 (Resolution No. 70/2017 (IV.13.) and No. 39/2017 (IV.5)). Our primary mission is to modernize the teaching and research traditions of our predecessor institutions while providing an autonomous organizational framework for these disciplines. Consequently, since May 1, 2017, our Department has been a dynamic and integral part of the Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training.

Positioned at the intersection of military, security, and state sciences, our Department serves as an "intellectual center." We consolidate expertise in religious security, defense and public administration, officer training requirements, and the prevention of religious radicalism. This multidisciplinary approach is reflected in our Department's objectives, operations, and staffing.

Our research portfolio focuses on five key areas:

  1. Military Law (with a specific focus on preparation for foreign service).
  2. Defense Law.
  3. Defense and Security Administration Systems, particularly defense administration.
  4. Special Legal Orders and crisis management regulations.
  5. Radicalism and Religious Extremism, providing comprehensive insights into the global emergence of extremism and a clear understanding of world religions that promote peace. Given the impact of migration on the relationship between religion and security, we consider this field a priority.

Our research is supported by numerous national and international cooperation agreements. In addition to teaching, our Department is actively involved in scientific organization, building international academic relations, and hosting professional events.

Our primary goal is to produce forward-looking research results that serve the scientific community, central administration, and legislators. To this end, we have introduced several new subjects, including Defense Law (MSc), Defense Law and Administration (BSc/MSc), and Military Law in English (BSc). We also provide specialized courses for the Hungarian Defence Forces, government officials, and the Ministry of Interior.

In the 2018/19 academic year, we launched a specialized program on Radicalism and Religious Extremism, supported by the State Secretariat for the Aid of Persecuted Christians (Hungary Helps Programme) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This program provides personnel in the armed forces and civil service with the theoretical and theological knowledge necessary to recognize and assess religious extremism. By examining the role of religious communities, migration processes, and the balance between constitutional religious freedom and national security, we aim to foster better communication between the state and religious organizations.

In 2019, we established the Religion and Security Research Workshop, which now operates within the Institute for Research on Religion and Society. The workshop researches the socio-political roles of religions, the Christian roots of the West, and the global impact of Islam and Asian traditions. We also explore the historical relationship between Church and State, including primary source research on how religious media interacted with social modernization in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In 2021, the Department launched the Research Workshop on Defence Security Regulation and Governance. Its mission is to conduct comparative legal and administrative analyses of national and international security issues. The workshop provides a forum for professional dialogue and supports public administration through its "Workshop Papers," available on our website.

Furthermore, since 2021, our Department has contributed to mission training at the HDF Peace Support Training Centre, lecturing on religious security, country studies, and international military law. To support future officers, we also operate a Scientific Students' Association (TDK) focusing on defense law and religious security.

I am confident that the work of our Department provides valuable results for the profession, the academic community, and the citizens of our University.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Ferenc PETRUSKA, PhD

Assistant Professor, Head of Department