Yes, we started something new, opened a new chapter in the internationalization of the University. Building on existing relationships, we deepened cooperation with Central European partner institutions within the framework of the Faculty of Law Enforcement, establishing new frameworks for inter-institutional professional and scientific connections in the field of law enforcement and psychology.
The Law Enforcement and Psychology CEEPUS Network, created with the support of CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies) and the Tempus Public Foundation, kicked off on September 1, 2023. The first major event of the Network, the 1st LEPSY CEEPUS Coordination Meeting, took place between November 5 and 8 at the Ludovika University of Public Service's Faculty of Law Enforcement. Participants included high-ranking and highly experienced representatives from partner institutions, such as the Police Academy of Slovakia (Bratislava), the Police Academy of Serbia (Belgrade), the Police Academy of North Macedonia (Skopje), and Babeş-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca).
During the meeting, representatives of the partner institutions agreed to:
- Share best practices related to police summer universities to enhance the quality of the annual LEPSY Summer School, which is hosted in a different location each year. Faculty and students from partner institutions can participate in the summer university. The first summer university, as stated by Prof Dr Gábor Kovács, Dean of the Faculty of Law Enforcement, will be hosted by LUPS in the second semester of the 2024 academic year.
- Create a virtual cloud, a common knowledge base, grouping our sample curricula, course descriptions, research programs, and proposals related to the cooperation of the LEPSY CEEPUS Network.
- Support and participate in English-language student subject and scientific competitions and conferences.
- Host and send student groups and instructors each semester.
- Allow insight into the teaching and training activities of host institutions, facilitating their study.
- Treat participants in mobility as equal partners.
- Support and promote joint or complementary research.
- Publish scientific articles based on research results in international journals we oversee.
- Release regular newsletters to inform institutions interested in the activities of the LEPSY CEEPUS Network.
- Publish collaborations of the LEPSY CEEPUS Network on various social media platforms.
On November 7, 2023, participants of the 1st LEPSY CEEPUS Coordination Meeting visited the Border Guard Training Center in Szeged, Hungary, providing a study visit. Hosted by the center's leaders and trainers, they were impressed with high-quality professional briefings and technical demonstrations.
On September 20, 2023, in Poland, representatives of CEEPUS member states signed the fourth multilateral education agreement (1383/2023. (VIII.30) Government Decision) to be implemented from 2025 within the framework of CEEPUS IV. Also, Hungary took over the rotating presidency of CEEPUS. We hope that, like the CEEPUS Program, our network will be successful and expand year by year. We anticipate welcoming the Bulgarian Police Academy (Sofia) and other Police Academies from member countries as part of the network, including the Baltic states joining CEEPUS in the near future.
Text: Zoltán György Bács, Johanna Farkas