The Scientific Diving Centre at TU Bergakademie Freiberg has received the world's first ISO certification for training in scientific diving. Those who train and further their education in scientific diving at Freiberg University thus benefit from internationally harmonised standards for preparing for diving missions in underwater research.
Scientific diving is important for students and researchers from many different disciplines. "Whether archaeology, geology or engineering - scientific diving is an interdisciplinary offer that we have been designing for all disciplines for some time," says Dr Thomas Grab, Head of the university's Scientific Diving Center. "The new ISO certification also makes scientific diving training very interesting for interested parties beyond the TU Bergakademie Freiberg," he adds, "because our qualification is now internationally recognised. Our Freiberg training is also aimed at private individuals or, for example, companies in the field of construction technology or robotics - a broad field."
Staying power required
Professor Dr Tobias Fieback, Scientific Director of the Scientific Diving Centre at TUBAF, proved his staying power in this matter: As the German representative on the standardisation committee, he has been working since 2021 to develop and publish the standards, which were developed together with 169 ISO member countries and are now also valid in Germany as DIN EN ISO. "We are very proud to be the first institution in the world to be certified according to the new standards," explains Professor Fieback, "we hope that the globally recognised certification will not only simplify international research cooperation, but also give a boost to our courses, i.e. to even more people interested in our training."
Solutions to global environmental problems also to be found in water bodies
The persistence with which the team at the Scientific Diving Centre have fought for the certification has one central reason: scientific diving is a key qualification for anyone researching and working in the environmental field:
"71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. So if we really want to explore the Earth, find solutions to global environmental problems and take stock of the impact of human activity on our ecosystem, then we need to include this part. We must ensure that all research disciplines with their specialised knowledge and methods have access to underwater research. We bring expertise and decision-makers to where science needs to take place, directly to the scene of the action."
Block course for interested people from all over the world
Courses in scientific diving for university members are already running this semester. External interested parties can already register for a block course from 27 June to 6 July 2025. Information on requirements and course content can be found on the page of the Scientific Diving Centre.