Prague universities to ramp up security for new academic year

Some Prague universities have announced they will boost security measures in time for the start of the 2024/25 academic year in response to the December 2023 shooting at Charles University that killed 14 innocent people and saw the perpetrator commit suicide. Some will build on recently implemented measures to eliminate external threats. 

Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) adopted new measures in the winter and spring, said its spokeswoman Kateřina Macháčková. She mentioned the strengthening of services at campus entrances, the use of student and staff cards to enter the university, and updating rules for moving around the campus with larger luggage. VŠE is also planning emergency-response training for staff and students.

For several years now, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (VŠCHT) has had turnstiles (or barriers) at its entrances, through which people can pass only with a student or employee card, and visitors are registered at the concierge desk. The institution is also preparing an SMS alert system.

Charles University is working on a crisis information system called KISS, which allows for early warning of people in a given area. "The system is ready on a technical level, but now it is being gradually set up at individual faculties and units so that employees can use it effectively," said Petra Klusáková from the Rector's Office.

VŠCHT consulted with the police on existing measures and updated guidelines in case of shooting. "Together with an expert in crisis planning, we analyzed the university buildings and identified several locations for buttons that would be directly connected to security forces in the event of an emergency," said VŠCHT spokesman Michal Janovský.

Charles has recently enhanced its cooperation with the police to evaluate potential risks and ensure safety during events. Additionally, new measures have been implemented to improve security management and foster collaboration between faculties for the exchange of information and knowledge. The university is also providing specialized training for security coordinators in each faculty to effectively develop security plans. 

Charles also wants to strengthen the ability to lock up in certain rooms. "Based on thorough analyses, we are gradually identifying rooms in each building that could be mechanically strengthened so that they can be quickly locked against opening from the outside. However, there we are strongly confronted with legislative restrictions on fire protection and we are still in the process of finding a solution," Klusáková said.

The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague has also been actively working on enhancing security, including regularly updating crisis preparedness plans. Jan Borák, the university's security section director, highlighted their focus on technical, organizational, and educational aspects. Each building is equipped with an access control system, and some have reception areas or card systems.