Occupational safety specialists, who will guide employers in providing a safe and healthy working environment in workplaces, are trained in the Occupational Health and Safety department specifically opened for them. Students of the department, who receive practical training alongside theoretical education, gain a more advantageous position in their job applications to large and corporate companies after completing the 4-year undergraduate program. Üsküdar Üniversitesi's Head of Occupational Health Department, Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, particularly advises those who could not achieve the required score for engineering but want to study engineering courses to choose the Occupational Health and Safety department.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Occupational Health Department Head Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan shared important information about the advantages and scope of the Occupational Health and Safety department.
Those who don't score enough for engineering can choose it
Stating that the Occupational Health and Safety department aims to train occupational safety specialists who will guide employers in providing a safe and healthy working environment, Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan said, "The work of an occupational safety specialist can also protect colleagues, family members, employers, customers, and many other people who may be affected by the workplace environment. I especially recommend it to those who could not achieve the required success ranking and score for engineering but want to study engineering courses. Furthermore, if they have sufficient English knowledge and are successful, and also meet the requirements for a double major, they can have the chance to double major in industrial and chemical engineering departments."
They will also be advantageous abroad
Uçan stated that the first-year curriculum of the OHS department consists of courses such as basic chemistry and basic biology, in line with the engineering education curriculum, and added, "Later, applied courses are given for ergonomics, process safety, machine safety, risk assessment methodologies, fire, electricity, hygiene, statistics, AutoCAD, and computer-aided PHAST, SAFETI, MAROS, TARO programs. Since they receive comprehensive training, they possess occupational safety knowledge and are preferred in the sector. They also learn working at heights and fire training from subject matter experts. We foresee that students with foreign language skills will be sought after professionals abroad as well."
They gain experience with practical applications
Uçan stated that OHS training at Üsküdar University is provided not only theoretically but also practically, and continued:
"Application studies are carried out in the hygiene laboratory with dust, gas, noise, temperature, and thermal comfort measurement devices. Machine reliability and explosion protection documents are prepared for special programs in the computer laboratory. While practical training is given in the garden with the working at heights platform, fire drills are also conducted with fire equipment and clothing. Furthermore, we conduct scientific research by participating in national and international congresses and symposiums with our undergraduate and graduate students."
Legal obligation is coming
Drawing attention to the fact that the importance of occupational safety is increasingly understood by managers, employers, and employees, Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan said, "Graduates of the OHS department can work as occupational safety specialists in all workplaces in the sector. Since all public institutions will also be legally obligated to employ occupational safety specialists from December 31, 2023, job opportunities will increase. Additionally, all large and corporate companies prefer specialists who have received 4 years of OHS training. A successful occupational safety specialist will always be respected in the workplace and will be the best candidate for future management positions."