News

On 14 December the 18-month project supporting the creation of an international-level training system for explosive ordnance disposal technicians and the training of first Ukrainian cadets and instructors was concluded in Lviv.

According to Arno Pugonen, the project manager and an advisor of the Rescue Board’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre, it is a special cooperation that has advanced without disruptions. The project has become significantly broader than planned, not only Lviv University but also the relevant university of Kharkiv has been involved, not to mention local rescue services and other national structures.

Besides participating in study visits and training sessions, Estonian experts in cooperation with Ukrainian colleagues have developed a curriculum and several new syllabi. Pugonen says it is difficult to overestimate the role of EOD training: “A part of Ukraine is in war, and like Ukrainians, we too expect the war to end soon. And this is the time when humanitarian deminers start their work that will last for decades. For example, in Estonia we still have not finished removing the signs of World War II still hidden in the ground.” During their meeting, the vice rector of the Lviv University, Myroslav Koval, and the rector of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Katri Raik, acknowledged their interest and willingness to continue this cooperation. According to Raik, they are looking for funding that would allow Lviv’s first year cadets receive their first training corresponding to international standards in Estonia.

Professor Koval admits the equipment of the Ukrainian EOD technicians leaves much to be desired. Bringing out positive aspects of the cooperation with Estonia, the vice rector pointed out the international experience the trainers had, and appreciated the trainers’ readiness to train both in Russian and English.     

Ain Karafin, director of the Rescue College of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, admits that the Ukrainian project has also improved cooperation in Estonia. Next year the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences is opening a formal education curriculum for EOD technicians. Karafin says it is the Academy’s first fully workplace based curriculum

17 people in Estonia took part in the training corresponding to international standards. The humanitarian demining project was carried out by Lviv State University of Life Safety that is one of the two Ukrainian universities offering training in that field, and the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. The project period was 18 months and it was funded by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.