His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces, on Wednesday inaugurated the Prince Hussein Ben Abdullah II Academy for Civil Protection in the Muwaqqar District.

The academy, which aims to become an international training centre, will offer civil defence and civil protection training, and bachelor's degree programmes in rescue aid, fire engineering and disaster management.

At the inauguration Wednesday, the King observed field exercises performed by Civil Defence Department (CDD) personnel and checked on vehicles used by CDD rescue and search teams.

CDD Director General Major General Abdullah Hamadneh stressed the importance of the academy in enhancing the skills of department staff, expressing hope that the facility will become a “comprehensive city” specialised in civil defence and protection in the near future.

Established on a 360-dunum plot, the academy includes specialised training fields for students to practise civil defence skills and carry out mock emergency-response drills.

Civil defence experts, trainers and lecturers will carry out the academy's training programmes, while academicians from the University of Jordan will staff the academy's classrooms.

The Balqa Applied University will provide certification for the academy's graduates as it is the legal umbrella for the academy, which aspires to disseminate civil defence awareness among the different segments of society and provide the CDD with financial revenues.