The online certificate program “Safeguarding and Rescuing Archaeological Assets” prepared within the scope of the Safeguarding Archaeological Assets of Turkey (SARAT) project has received more than 1,000 applications within the first 24 hours since its announcement from all over Turkey and beyond. 

The SARAT project is led by the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA) and the course was prepared in collaboration with Koç University. 

For the first time in Turkey, an educational program on archaeology and cultural assets is offered online, for free and in Turkish. The 20-episode program aims at building capacity for participants from Turkey and elsewhere by presenting theoretical and practical knowledge on safeguarding archaeological assets. 

The course contains extensive information regarding the importance of protecting archaeological assets and securing their sustainability, national and international laws andregulations, the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as episodes dealing with measures in case of emergency and disaster situations at museums and archaeological sites. 

The program includes a section on hands-on training such as emergency conservation, photography, documentation, and digital protection. Video-recorded interviews with experts in the field are presented within every episode. 

The “Safeguarding and Rescuing Archaeological Assets” program started accepting applications for its first session on March 19 via the website www.saratproject.com 

There has been immense interest for the program from professionals and students working in fields related to cultural assets like archaeology, museology, art history, cultural heritage, history, conservation, architecture and urban planning. In five days, the number of applications surpassed 2,000. 

The online system provided by Koç University enables participants to follow classes remotely and at a time of their own choice during the registered period. Those who complete the program successfully are entitled to a certificate from Koç University. The first session of the program will begin soon and run for two months. 

The program is expected to be offered over four sessions. The first two-month session will begin in the coming days, followed by a planned three more sessions in between summer 2019 and winter 2020.