Estonia: Keres Street property chosen for Narva college of security college

TALLINN - The building of the Narva College of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences will be erected on a Keres Street plot in Narva currently belonging to the University of Tartu, which now serves as home to the former building of the University of Tartu college in the northeast Estonian border city.

Interior Minister Andres Anvelt, who visited Narva on Thursday, said that both sides will win if the college of the Academy of Security Sciences is built on the property belonging to the University of Tartu.

"The living conditions of the students of the university will improve and there will be better sporting opportunities, whereas those studying at the academy will be able to take optional subjects at the college of the university. Also, one more property in the city center of Narva will be put in order," the minister said.

The rector of the Academy of Security Sciences, Katri Raik, said that financing of the college has potential to evolve as a very good example of cooperation between the government, the city of Narva and the two institutions of higher education.

The new complex will consist of training and work areas, accommodation units and premises for training and sports. In addition to students, also local biathlons, for instance, will be able to use the college's shooting range. The swimming pool that hopefully will be built in conjunction with the college would be open to residents of the city. The construction of the swimming pool has yet to be approved by the government.

The college would provide facilities for practical training for up to 400 cadets annually in the future, in addition to whom there would be up to 50 cadets whose training program is based in Narva. The college would serve as the base for all professions in internal security. Establishment of the college in Narva would create 20 new jobs in the border city.

The building of the college is estimated to cost 12.8 million euros, half of which is expected to be covered by selling existing properties and using money already earmarked for related purposes in the budget.