How do you prevent incidents in industrial plants? How should we prepare for natural disasters such as floods, fires and storms? These are the questions being addressed by students in the Safety and Hazard Defence program. As a cooperation between the University of Magdeburg, the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and the Institute for Fire and Disaster Prevention Heyrothsberge, both the bachelor's and the consecutive master's program offer a variety of insights into theory and practice. This October, the course celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The program was launched in October 2003 and is part of the Faculty of Process and Systems Engineering at the University of Magdeburg. Therefore, over 7 and 3 (Bachelor and Master) semesters, the necessary procedural and scientific knowledge is taught in order to effectively combat disasters. To this end, students deal with fundamental aspects of physics, mathematics and pollutant dispersion on the one hand. On the other hand, they acquire skills in the areas of fire, disaster and civil protection, safety management and risk analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the complex of "leadership, management, emergency planning, psychology and law".
In the TREEADS project, researchers are looking into the prevention and control of forest fires. (Photo: Jana Dünnhaupt/University of Magdeburg)
The career prospects are also diverse. About 25 percent of graduates work in preventive fire protection, and about 15 percent work for fire departments in defensive fire and disaster protection. Also popular are positions as safety managers in companies, e.g. in the chemical industry, transportation or the energy sector. There are also possible prospects in safety research and in plant and safety engineering.
Particularly in view of advancing climate change, dealing with natural disasters is becoming increasingly important. Current research projects in the field of safety and security are concerned, for example, with the effective prevention and control of forest fires. The safety of people and nature should thus be effectively ensured, taking into account soil conditions, vegetation and climate. The cooperative degree program thus enables a valuable contribution to society in many ways.
On October 21, 2023, the last 20 years will be looked back on in a festive way. Both former and active students, lecturers and sponsors, including friends and companions, were able to register. There will also be an extensive supporting program for this occasion. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the laboratories of the university can be visited during a guided tour, and starting at 11:30 a.m., the laboratories of the university can be visited. Afterwards, starting at 1:00 p.m., a get-together with a ceremony will take place in Lecture Hall 1 on the main campus of the university. The evening event will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the high vaults of the Mark Fortress: in addition to a buffet, drinks and music, you will meet both old acquaintances and new faces.