Digitalization in Search and Rescue
Digitalization in Mine Rescue Operations
A project titled "Standardization and Digitalization of Rescue Education in Mining," aimed at standardizing and digitizing rescue training in mines, has secured funding from the Vocational Education sector following evaluation by the European Union Strategic Partnerships Program.
Kütahya Dumlupınar Üniversitesi (DPÜ) Mining Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Oktay Şahbaz developed this project, which represents one of Europe's pioneering initiatives in this field for mining. The 30-month project involves Porto Üniversitesi from Portugal, Salerno Üniversitesi from Italy, AGH Üniversitesi from Poland, and Balıkesir Mining High School as partners.
The statement noted, "First, the knowledge levels and requirements of those working in rescue operations will be determined for the first time using approaches from psychology, sociology and educational sciences alongside engineering, and a systematic rescue training program will be developed. A 'Mental Health Protection Approaches Handbook' to be implemented before and after activities and the 'Development of New Technology VR-CAVE Simulator' will be important outputs for the project. Thus, advanced training opportunities using pedagogy and technology will be provided to individuals working and contributing in the rescue field. Accordingly, training will be given at an advanced level using pedagogy and technology to persons working and contributing in the rescue field."
Project coordinator Prof. Dr. Oktay Şahbaz, expressing gratitude to Turkey National Agency for supporting the idea, stated, "We will continue our work to create benefits for our university, our country and Europe. Additionally, the project has potential to make Kütahya Dumlupınar Üniversitesi a center of attraction in the field of rescue training education. This goal of ours can be realized with the contributions of all institutions."
Within the scope of the project, Prof. Dr. Hakan Aykul, Director of our university's Disaster and Emergency Management Training Practice and Research Center (DPÜ AFAMER), has played an important role in increasing the project's impact by initiating contact with relevant authorities. This impact will expand with everyone's support," he said.
Kütahya Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Cengiz Karagüzel, commenting on the matter, said, "We are pleased to see the fruit of our efforts to benefit from European Union funds for some time and convert them into contributions for our country. We will continue to work on international projects and, as before, our doors remain open to those working in this direction. Our country has invested serious budgets to benefit from EU funds. Our responsibility should be to obtain more than what was invested through the right projects."
