By Morten K. Thomsen, DBI, and David Graff, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Aalborg University and DBI – the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology have signed a strategic cooperation agreement that will more closely link research and practice in fire and security.

The agreement establishes a common framework for closer cooperation on issues such as continuing education, research projects, test facilities and public sector services.

"When research, public sector services and practical experience are united in one collaboration, we can both develop new knowledge and ensure that it is more quickly translated into competences, regulation and solutions in society," says Carsten Damgaard, Research Director, DBI.

Ensures a strong position for both parties

For Aalborg University, the partnership provides an opportunity to build a stronger position in fire and safety in the built environment.

"The collaboration gives us the opportunity to develop the area of fire and safety as an attractive research strength. In conjunction with DBI, we will be more involved in practice-related issues that can strengthen not only our research and teaching, but also the security of our society," says Jesper Wengel, Pro-rector for Research, Aalborg University.

With its five key tracks, the cooperation agreement covers a broad scope: The two institutions see potential in collaboration on

• education
• staff and competence exchange
• testing and development facilities
• public sector services
• and joint research and innovation projects.

Specific measures now ready 

And the collaboration has gotten off to a flying start. Six new continuing education courses in fire technology will see the light of day in the spring of 2027, and collaborations on public sector services and joint research projects on, for example, fire-safe biogenic buildings are also taking shape.

"When we bring talented people together, new ideas and collaborations arise. This is where we expect much of the value to lie," says Carsten Damgaard, and points out that the collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of new solutions in areas such as the green transition, new building materials and methods, and the security of society.

The first concrete point in the collaboration between DBI and AAU will be to offer a number of joint courses that can be included as part of the qualification requirement for a BK3/4 certification in fire safety consultancy, starting in the spring of 2027. 

BUILD – Department of the Built Environment represents AAU, and Kasper Lynge Jensen, Head of Department looks forward to the collaboration:

"Combining our knowledge is very valuable for the construction industry. There is an increasing demand for experts who can advise on fire safety in the context of building legislation and the many new sustainable building materials that are coming onto the market that fundamentally change the work," he says.

Strengthens competitiveness

The collaboration is an example of the role that the GTS institutes (government-approved technological service) can play as a bridge between university research and application in companies and authorities. The closer integration with Aalborg University strengthens the foundation for research, innovation and knowledge dissemination. A partnership that Mette Fjord Sørensen, Director of the GTS Association is very pleased about:

"A strategic collaboration between DBI and Aalborg University is excellent news. The universities and GTS institutes are each crucial to supporting competitiveness in Denmark, but there is no doubt that collaboration will help strengthen the innovation capacity and competitiveness of companies even more," says Mette Fjord Sørensen.