A comprehensive program composed of both theoretical and practical training titled “Change and Transformation in Occupational Health: Leadership, Coaching, and Strategic Planning” was organized under the leadership of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (VSHS) Occupational Health and Safety Program, in collaboration with Yüksel Project and the Centre for Labour and Social Security Training and Research (ÇASGEM). During the four-day training, current developments, transformation processes, and applied approaches in the field of occupational health and safety were discussed. Participants gained knowledge in areas such as leadership, coaching, strategic planning, and organizational development under the guidance of field experts.
The seminar took place at the Kuleli Hall of Üsküdar University Main Campus. On the first day of the seminar, opening speeches were delivered by Prof. Mesut Karahan, Director of the Vocational School of Health Services, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan, Head of the Department of Property Protection and Security and Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Program, İdil Pora Ölmez, Member of the Board of Directors of Yüksel Project, and Elif Öztürk, Occupational Safety Specialist and Safety Coach at Yüksel Project.
Prof. Mesut Karahan: “A holistic approach significantly contributes to our students' professional development”
Prof. Mesut Karahan mentioned the benefits of organizing a seminar on change and transformation in occupational health and stated, “As the Vocational School of Health Services at Üsküdar University, we are a large structure with more than eight thousand students. Our education system is based on four main pillars: theoretical courses, laboratory practices, field internships, and recently introduced events. Thanks to our Occupational Health and Safety Laboratory, which is not available at many universities, our students have the opportunity to practice what they learn in theory. Through such events, they also engage directly with field professionals and witness real-life experiences. This holistic approach makes significant contributions to our students' professional development.”
Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan: “Our aim is to create lasting change through shared values”
Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan stated, “This event is not only attended by occupational safety experts or OHS professionals, but also by colleagues working in the field of coaching. This diversity reflects the core theme of our conference. Our aim here is to bring professionals from different fields together around shared values. These values are based on well-being, development, contributing value, and making our work more sustainable. By laying the foundation for lasting and positive change within this value framework, we aim to spread the culture of safety. In ensuring its sustainability, safety coaching plays a crucial role. As part of this process, I have also received coaching training. Because we know that in order to make safety sustainable, not only knowledge but also a proper mindset and awareness are essential.”
İdil Pora Ölmez: “This initiative has the potential to be a model in the field of occupational health and safety”
İdil Pora Ölmez, Member of the Board of Directors at Yüksel Project, spoke about the importance of the seminar and said, “This program has been structured systematically through the academic guidance of Üsküdar University, Yüksel Project's field experience in occupational health and safety, and the safety coaching approach of professional coaches trained by ÇASGEM. The result is a practical and instructive event that can serve as a model in the field of occupational health and safety. The primary objective of the program is to transform occupational safety from a set of temporary measures into a permanent cultural structure. Especially in the construction sector and many other fields, this is the ultimate goal. For this reason, we consider this program extremely valuable and we support it wholeheartedly. We sincerely encourage the growth of this structure, which is strengthened by academic support, and its expansion within the business world.”
Elif Öztürk: “Today, professional life is largely based on communication and emotional management”
Elif Öztürk, Occupational Safety Specialist and Safety Coach at Yüksel Project, emphasized the importance of coaching in occupational safety and said, “Recognizing our own values is actually the first step toward knowing ourselves. When we know ourselves, we become aware of the internal strength that supports us. Today, professional life is largely based on communication and emotional management. Whether at construction sites or within organizations, there is an intense emotional flow, and in such an environment, it is extremely important that occupational safety professionals manage emotions effectively. For this skill to develop, one must first recognize emotions. It is not about ignoring or suppressing emotions but about identifying and learning how to manage them. With valuable contributions from our instructors, the seminars and workshops to be held will provide important gains for our participants. The content included in the program will be both engaging and increase awareness.”
A comprehensive seminar was held
During the four-day training, eleven seminars were conducted. In addition, eight instructors led fourteen workshops that provided hands-on training.
Career process and leadership were discussed
On the first day of the seminar, Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan delivered a presentation titled “Career Process in Occupational Health and Safety.” Ayça Aytaç presented “Values and Safety Culture,” while Betül Gürler and Esra Karaman shared their presentation titled “A Look into the Future of OHS: Changing Risks, New Skills.”
Communication in OHS addressed in all aspects
On the second day of the seminar, Emine Bozan presented “A Four-Dimensional Perspective on Positive Communication in Occupational Health and Safety,” Elif Akbaylar delivered a presentation titled “Coaching-Based Communication in Safety Leadership,” and Elif Öztürk contributed with her presentation “Systematic Approach in Safety Leadership.”
The importance of leadership and vision was emphasized
On the third day of the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Pınar Baykan gave a presentation titled “The Importance of Mission and Vision,” and Asst. Prof. Sertaç Temur, Deputy Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University, presented “Safety Leadership and Social Compliance.”
Crisis management and the necessity of strategic planning were highlighted
On the fourth and final day of the seminar, Asst. Prof. Ahmet Çabuk delivered a presentation titled “Stress and Crisis Management in Safety Leadership.” Suzan Kaygancı spoke on “Strategic Approach to My Career and Sustainability,” and Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Program at the Vocational School of Health Services, presented “Strategic Planning in OHS Practices.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)