57 graduates of the Asklepios Campus Hamburg received their Semmelweis University diplomas in a ceremony held at the Hungarian Embassy in Berlin on July 12.
Five years ago, Semmelweis University finalised its cooperation agreement with Asklepios Kliniken, one of Germany’s largest clinical clusters, which created the binational faculty in Hamburg as part of Semmelweis University’s Faculty of Medicine.
This unique educational model provides the German-speaking students of Semmelweis University with the opportunity to continue their studies at the campus in Hamburg after having finished their theoretical training in Hungary. Upon completing their studies, which follows the Hungarian curriculum, the graduates receive Semmelweis University’s diploma and a ‘dr. med.’ professional title. In order to obtain the German equivalent of ‘Dr. med.’, the candidate is also required to write a scientific dissertation.
In his opening address, Dr. József Czukor, ambassador of Hungary to Germany, praised the longstanding relationship between the two nations. He conferred the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary on Dr. Jörg Weidenhammer, who served as managing director of Asklepios Campus Hamburg until May 2013, for his outstanding contributions to the cooperation. Dr. Jörg Weidenhammer expressed his thanks to the university’s representatives for their fruitful work.
The ceremonial session of Semmelweis University’s Senate was opened by Rector Ágoston Szél. After the graduates had taken the oath, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. László Hunyady officially declared the students doctors in recognition of their successfully completed studies. The diplomas were conferred by Outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. István Karádi.
Dr. Ágoston Szél underscored the importance of the German-language programme using statistics: since the beginning of the programme in 1983, over 5000 German-speaking students have enrolled at Semmelweis University, 820 of whom have obtained their diplomas to date. This year, 101 German-speaking students received their diplomas.
The rector concluded his speech by quoting Hungarian author Sándor Márai: “Even a person blessed with creativity does not have the right to steal from the time required for self-cultivation in order to create. It is not so important to write every day; it is more important to read every day. Always have time for self-cultivation, every day.”
Dean of Asklepios Campus Hamburg Dr. Dirk Müller-Wieland thanked all the participants of the cooperation and noted that Asklepios Campus Hamburg considers itself to be a part of Europe, as well as a faculty integrated into Semmelweis University’s Faculty of Medicine.
The ceremonial session of Semmelweis University’s Senate was closed by Dr. Ágoston Szél. Dr. József Czukor asked the graduates to make their experience known, because such a cooperation is not only important for the participants involved, but for Europe as well. The Ambassador then invited everyone to a reception at the Hungarian Embassy. Over 350 people participated in the grand event.
Orsolya Thurzó
Translated by: Bonifac Makkai
