STUDENTS OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SAFETY COMPLETED INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP IN TURKEY
29 july 2026
Six students from Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" completed an international internship under the Erasmus+ programme in the Republic of Turkey. Five fourth-year students and one master's student of Fire and Emergency Safety underwent practical training at the company Trakya Proses.
The students worked together with experienced specialists on a real project - an industrial warehouse with an area of over 2500 sq. m in the industrial zone of Luleburgaz. They participated in the design, sizing and installation of automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing installations, got acquainted with the integration of modern fire alarm and notification systems and monitored the selection and placement of fire doors, windows and partitions.
The engineers from Trakya Proses presented the main stages of the project work and shared their professional experience. The internship gave the students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real work environment and improve their skills of precision, responsibility and teamwork.
The programme also included training at the Kırklareli Fire Department (Kırklareli İtfaiyesi). The students were introduced to the organization of operational activities, specialised equipment and personal protective equipment. The local firefighters demonstrated approaches and tactics for a quick and effective response to various emergency situations.
Academic mentor of the participants was Assoc. Prof. Eng. Ali Çakır, PhD who supported the students throughout the entire period of study. Yalçın Karagözler, PhD, a graduate of the doctoral programme in Occupational Safety and Firefighting Engineering at Varna Free University, assisted in the organization and connection between academic training and professional practice.
The international internship broadened the professional experience of the students and gave them the opportunity to become familiar with good engineering and operational practices in the field of fire safety.
The experience gained is part of the sustainable partnership of Varna Free University with academic and professional organizations in the Republic of Turkey. From the academic year 2026/2027, the university and Sakarya University will start the joint bachelor's programme in Fire Engineering, in which the training will be conducted in Turkish - students will study two years in Varna and two years in Sakarya.
