During the academic year of 2016/2017, 50 physiotherapist students started their studies in the framework of the off-campus programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University at the L.U.de.S.  – University of Human Sciences and Technology of Lugano. The faculty started this training programme in Lugano 8 years ago. At the Swiss institution currently more than 300 students are studying physiotherapy on the BSc level.

The new academic year was opened by the President of L.U.de.S. university, Dr. Manuela Di Martino, by the Rector of L.U.de.S. university, Dr. Antonello Martinez, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Vincenzo Piras and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Fabio Gabrielli.

IMG_9289_1-luganoOn behalf of Semmelweis University Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences held a ceremonial speech, in which he emphasized the prestigious past of the mother institution, since Semmelweis University already started its 247th academic year this year. Dean Nagy also made note of the fact that the higher education level training of physiotherapy in Hungary was started in 1975 at the institution that is predecessor in title of the current Faculty of Health Sciences.

Dean Nagy recalled that last year’s ceremony organized on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Faculty of Health Sciences was attended by several students from Lugano, which contributes to the reinforcement of the good feeling of belonging to Semmelweis University. For this reason, as Dean Nagy pointed out, the faculty would like to continue the student- and teacher exchange in the future as well.

After the oath-taking part of the ceremony, which was led by Vice-Rector Abdallah Raweh, Paolo De Vizzi, who is the keeper of the new world record of the longest maritime diving, was awarded by L.U.de.S. university.

The award ceremony was followed by a scientific lecture entitled “Mens sana in corpore sano” held by Morris L. Ghezzi, Professor of the university of Milano. The opening ceremony was ended by the Swiss, the Italian and the Hungarian national anthems.

IMG_9609_lugano_slide_jóThe Faculty of Health Sciences of Semmelweis University first started an off-campus, English language BSc training in physiotherapy in Lugano in 2009. Since the training has become extremely popular in the northern region of Italy as well, starting from 2013 it is also available in Italian language.

Faculty of Health Sciences
Photo: L.U.de.S.
Translated by: Katalin Romhányi