ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNICIANS
The Environmental Health and Environmental Risk Management Programme is a field of expertise focused on identifying, assessing and controlling physical, chemical and biological factors that threaten human and environmental health. The programme aims to provide knowledge, skills and awareness to prevent the negative effects of environmental pollution and environmental risks on all living things and ecosystems.
The fundamental objectives include the protection of natural resources, the prevention of pollution, the development of effective and conscious intervention methods against environmental hazards, and the establishment of a green and sustainable environmental awareness. Within this scope, the programme trains technical personnel who are proficient in environmental legislation, competent in field and laboratory applications, capable of analysis and evaluation based on scientific data, solution-oriented, and sensitive to environmental health.
Programme students are supported not only by theoretical education but also by practical training. During their education, students are provided with the following opportunities:
· Sample collection, use of measurement devices, environmental monitoring and assessment studies,
· Courses on waste management, environmental legislation, toxicology, and environmental microbiology,
· Fieldwork conducted in environmental laboratories, treatment plants, and industrial areas,
· Inspection techniques, environmental impact assessment processes, and official report preparation skills.
Throughout the programme, students gain experience that will facilitate their adaptation to the sector before graduation through field studies and internships conducted in collaboration with various institutions.
Prospective students applying to the programme must have obtained a sufficient score in the Higher Education Institutions Examination Basic Proficiency Test conducted by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM). Students are placed according to their scores in this examination, based on their preferences, by ÖSYM. Registrations are made in accordance with Article 5 of the Hitit University Education and Training Regulations, which states: "(1) Prospective students who are eligible for final registration at the University shall register in person at the registration office within the periods announced, in accordance with the principles determined by Article 45 of Law No. 2547, the Measurement, Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM) and the University. Applications by post will not be accepted. Those who do not complete their final registration within the specified dates cannot claim any rights.
(2) The registration of foreign students at the University is carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation and the principles determined by the Senate."
The duration of the programme is two years, and the language of instruction is Turkish.
Students who successfully complete the programme are awarded the "Associate Degree in Environmental Health and Environmental Risk Management" and the title of "Environmental Health and Environmental Risk Management Technician".
· Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation and its Provincial Directorates,
· The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Provincial Directorates of Food and Agriculture,
· The Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs and private organisations engaged in environmental protection and human health studies;
· Provincial health directorates, hospitals, public health centres, and community health centres;
· Universities,
· Municipalities;
· In private accredited laboratories equipped with laboratory information that perform measurements in areas such as wastewater, drinking water, air pollution, noise pollution, etc.;
· Environmental laboratories, air-water-soil monitoring centres;
· At recycling facilities, waste management companies, and environmental consulting firms;
· By learning programmes such as AutoCAD, WaterCAD, StormCAD, and SewerCAD in infrastructure design companies;
· In the promotion and marketing departments of companies selling environmental pollution analysis devices (HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, etc.);
· There are ample job opportunities in the environmental departments of any industrial organisation that generates waste/wastewater.
· In addition, if they complete their qualifications in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, they can easily find employment in the quality departments of companies.
Graduates of our programme can take the DGS (Vertical Transfer Exam) administered by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Centre to transfer to:
· FULL-TIME / Biology, Environmental Engineering, Health Management, Social Services;
· OPEN EDUCATION / Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, Economics, Public Administration, Finance, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Relations and Advertising, Public Relations and Promotion, Political Science and Public Administration, Tourism Management, Health Management, Social Services programmes.
The increasing prevalence of complex issues such as global climate change, air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, waste management, and environmental disaster risks has led to a rapidly growing demand for technical personnel specialising in environmental health.
· Graduates will be able to work in the following areas in the future:
· Green building applications,
· Climate adaptation projects,
· Carbon footprint calculations,
· Digital environmental monitoring systems.
Furthermore, in line with the European Union environmental standards compliance process and sustainable development goals, employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors are diversifying; environmental health technician is among the strategic professions of the future.
