Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, stated that “In our country, we frequently encounter workplace accidents, fires, and earthquakes. To produce lasting solutions, the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) must urgently define Occupational Safety as a scientific field under the Natural Sciences category. Only then can the academic career paths, particularly associate professorship, for faculty members in Occupational Health and Safety departments be made possible.”
The 6th National Occupational Health and Safety Student Congress, themed "Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Mining," was held on April 29–30, 2025. It was organized by Gümüşhane University with the support of Üsküdar University, Istanbul Medeniyet University, and the MESKA Foundation. Students and academics from Üsküdar University’s Department of Occupational Health and Safety presented significant academic papers during the event.
The congress aimed to lead the way in deepening the understanding of OHS practices in the mining sector and to raise awareness in this field. The opening speech was delivered by Prof. Handan Çam, Vice Rector of Gümüşhane University. Emphasizing that occupational health and safety is more than a legal obligation, Çam said, “The main reason we are gathered here is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and reflect together for a safer working life. Prevention is always more valuable than compensation.”
Congress Chair Dr. Süleyman Şüküroğlu added, “Occupational health and safety is not just a necessity but also an expression of respect for life.”
Gümüşhane University Rector Prof. Oktay Yıldız thanked all those who contributed to the organization of the congress, stressing: “Especially in high-risk sectors such as mining, the development and widespread implementation of occupational safety practices is of vital importance.”
Strong participation from Üsküdar University
Üsküdar University was represented at the congress by a distinguished delegation. Dr. Rüştü Uçan and Lecturer Ertuğrul Kaya participated as invited speakers. Dr. Rüştü Uçan emphasized that Occupational Safety as a scientific discipline is not sufficiently recognized in the criteria of the Interuniversity Board for associate professorship, noting that it is currently listed only as a keyword under the field of Social Policy. He stated: “In our country, we are constantly facing work-related accidents, fires, and earthquakes. In order to develop lasting solutions, the Council of Higher Education must urgently define Occupational Safety as a scientific discipline under Natural Sciences. This recognition will pave the way for academic promotion within the field. Otherwise, the issues cannot be resolved merely through cultural studies.”
Experienced industry professionals should also be allowed to teach
Highlighting that occupational safety is a multidisciplinary scientific field that requires collaborative solutions with industry, Dr. Uçan warned against limiting faculty appointments in undergraduate and graduate OHS programs only to individuals with a doctoral degree. He explained that such a narrow policy would sever valuable ties with industry. He further emphasized that experienced professionals actively working in industry should be allowed to teach, provided they meet clearly defined criteria.
Scientific contributions from Üsküdar University
Students and academics from Üsküdar University’s Department of Occupational Health and Safety presented several significant papers at the congress. The papers included: Zeynep Gül, Research Assistant Ender Sezen, Dr. Rüştü Uçan: “Improving Machinery Safety in the Mining Sector Through Automation and Digitalization: A Legal and Technical Perspective” Elif Tuzak, Dr. Sertaç Temur, Dr. Rüştü Uçan: An Examination of Safety Culture Practices in the Mining Sector” Serap Duman, Dr. Rüştü Uçan: The Importance of Detector Placement in Preventing Gas Explosions in Mines: The Case of Gas Tanker Explosions” Furkan Karataş, Lecturer Ertuğrul Kaya, Dr. Nuri Bingöl, Dr. Rüştü Uçan: Smart Mines and Autonomous Machines: An Analysis of Innovative Approaches That Enhance Efficiency and Safety in Mining” Serap Duman, Dr. Nuri Bingöl: “Radon Gas Danger in Mines” Abdulkadir Gürkan Aydın, Research Assistant Ender Sezen, Dr. Rüştü Uçan: Workplace Accidents and Their Causes in Mining Environments”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)