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School of public Health and Safety

Department of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)

Historical Background

The rapid pace of industrial development and the growing demand for goods and services, coupled with the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources, have necessitated the emergence of new and complex challenges in the realm of Health, Safety, and the Environment. Given that the identification, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies for these hazards share significant commonalities, an integrated HSE management approach is essential. Such an approach not only minimizes the duplication of effort and prevents the squandering of resources but also enhances operational efficacy and cost-optimization.

HSE management is an interdisciplinary field, merging scientific rigor with engineering principles. It functions as an applied discipline dedicated to the identification, assessment, and control of diverse occupational, physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards. By mitigating these risks, the field aims to prevent incidents, promote occupational health, and ensure environmental sustainability. Recognizing its critical role, the implementation of HSE management systems has gained increasing traction across diverse industrial and urban sectors in recent years.

The academic journey of this department began in 1386 (2007) with initiatives to establish a Master’s degree program in HSE Management at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and health services, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The educational curriculum for this program was officially approved by the Higher Council for Planning on 18/7/1389 (October 10, 2010). Following sustained academic development, the curriculum for the Master’s degree (Non-Continuous) in Health, Safety, and Environment Management was finalized and approved by the Higher Council for Planning on 14/8/1390 (November 5, 2011). Subsequently, School of public Health and Safety at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and health services admitted its first cohort of students to this program in the autumn of 1392 (2013), and the program has continued its operations uninterrupted since then.

To further consolidate and elevate the quality of education and research in this domain, the Department of Health, Safety, and Environment was formally established in 1396 (2017). Building upon this progress, the Master’s degree program in HSE Engineering was launched in 1399 (2020), and the department continues to actively admit students in this specialized field.

 

Definition of the HSE Course

The course of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Management is an interdisciplinary discipline integrating health, safety, environmental sciences, and management. It is defined as the science and skill of planning, organizing, and directing activities related to this field, with the ultimate goal of preserving and enhancing the health of individuals, the environment, and assets within both societal and industrial settings.

 

Vision, Mission and Core Values – Department of HSE

Our Vision

  • To be the premier national academic authority and a globally recognized leader in HSE education, scientific research, and specialized consultancy, setting the standard for excellence in health, safety, and environmental management.

Our Mission

  • We are dedicated to cultivating highly skilled, ethical, and committed professionals. Our mission is to advance the science of HSE by managing and controlling hazardous factors in both occupational and public environments. Through evidence-based research, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship, we strive to prevent incidents, promote public health, preserve the environment, and foster a robust culture of safety that safeguards communities and future generations.

Our Core Values and Beliefs

  • Ethical Responsibility: Protecting the well-being of humans and ecosystems as a sacred duty, respecting the rights of current and future generations.
  • Sustainable Development: Striving for a future where quality of life and environmental preservation are harmonized.
  • Knowledge-Driven Decision Making: Relying on rigorous research and scientific evidence to guide our policies and practices.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Valuing the perspectives of our beneficiaries and fostering a collaborative, human-centered approach to decision-making.
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Championing knowledge-based services and technological advancements to drive national and global growth.
  • Integrity and Transparency: Upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and operational transparency in all our initiatives.

Strategic Goals

  • To align our educational and research endeavors with national needs and global standards, we are committed to the following strategic pillars:
  • Talent Development: Educating and training highly skilled and competent professionals.
  • Scientific Leadership: Establishing the department as a top-tier national hub for scientific and research excellence.
  • Knowledge-Based Impact: Transforming thesis and research outcomes into market-ready, knowledge-based products and services.
  • Policy Formulation: Contributing actively to the development of national policies in health and environmental sectors.
  • Societal Impact: Playing an effective role in promoting public health and improving the quality of the environment.
  • Global Positioning: Elevating the national scientific standing in the field of HSE.

 

 Specific Objectives (2024–2028)

Education and Infrastructure

  • Student Success: Training a highly skilled, ethical, and specialized Master’s degree graduate.
  • Educational Quality: Enhancing curricula to remain consistent with advancements in technology, industrial shifts, and university developments.
  • Faculty and Facilities: Expanding the faculty body to meet departmental needs and providing laboratory infrastructure and equipment consistent with our status as a reference institution.

Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

  • Capacity Building: Organizing at least 10 specialized workshops to empower faculty, alumni, and students.
  • Scientific Collaboration: Hosting at least 5 specialized scientific sessions (seminars, conferences, etc.) involving key stakeholders.
  • Research Alignment: Ensuring of thesis and research projects align with the departmental technology roadmap, and contribute directly to national health and environmental policies.
  • Applied Research: Executing impactful research projects approved by the Ministry, and applied research projects.
  • Technological Initiatives: Completing technological initiatives (including thesis-based projects) resulting in products or services at a national or global scale.