Üsküdar University Students and Academics Took to the Field for Disaster Preparedness

Üsküdar University students and academic staff participated in the “Support AFAD Volunteer” training organized to develop disaster preparedness and volunteerism awareness. The program, organized by the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), consisted of theoretical and practical training phases. In this context, SHMYO Deputy Director and Head of Emergency and Disaster Management Program Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş underlined that volunteerism is a responsibility that needs to be strengthened with education and regular practices. 

Theoretical training supported by field applications

The theoretical trainings of the program were held at the Çarşı Campus, and the practical trainings were carried out at the AFAD Yeşilköy Training Center. 

The aim of the training was to train volunteers who can take responsibility in disaster and emergency situations.

Academics from different disciplines participated

Along with the students, the training was attended by Asst. Prof. Ayşe Yıldırım from the Emergency and Disaster Management Program of the Vocational School of Health Services, Instructor Keziban Turan from the First and Emergency Aid Program, and Asst. Prof. Seza Özge Gönen from the English Department of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş: “Volunteerism is a responsibility that needs to be strengthened with education and regular practices” 

SHMYO Deputy Director and Head of Emergency and Disaster Management Program Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş said; “We attach importance to spreading the culture of disaster preparedness to all units of our university. The gathering of our students and academic staff from different disciplines in the same training is valuable for the development of a common understanding of responsibility. Volunteerism is a responsibility that needs to be strengthened with education and regular practices. We need volunteers who prioritize their own safety in disaster and emergency situations, know their competency limits, and act in coordination with the responsible teams. We consider these trainings an important part of our university's efforts to carry its knowledge for the benefit of society. I thank our academic staff and students who participated in the training, and the AFAD trainers who contributed to the training process.”