52 students graduated at the off-campus training of Asklepios Campus Hamburg and Semmelweis University

52 graduate medical students of Asklepios Campus Hamburg (ACH) received their degrees issued by Semmelweis University on 20 July at the Embassy of Hungary in Berlin. After taking the solemn oath, the students were conferred upon the degree of Doctor of Medicine by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, and Dr. Karl J. Oldhafer, Commissioner of the Dean of ACH. At the seventh graduation ceremony of the university’s off-campus programme, ACH’s ten years of existence was also celebrated.

The nearly 200 invitees were greeted by Dr. Péter Györkös, Ambassador, who spoke about the historical relations between the two countries. He said he was honoured that the Embassy of Hungary in Berlin has been hosting the inauguration ceremony for several years and offered to host the ceremonies in the following years as well. He congratulated the graduates, talked about the success of the programme and about the fact that the students graduated here have honourably been representing Hungary in their work, not forgetting what they learned at Semmelweis University.

Afterwards the Commissioner of the Dean of ACH, Dr. Karl J. Oldhafer, congratulated the graduating students. He talked about the difficulties of reconciling medical profession, professional and family life, and about the continuous changes we need to correspond to. He expressed his appreciation that freshly graduated students could serve society by practising the medical profession. He also asked them to always keep their fellow humans in the focus of their activities.

The opening speeches were followed by the formal assembly of the Senate of Semmelweis University, which was opened by Dr. Miklós Molnár, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. After the students’ solemn oath, they were conferred upon the title Doctor of Medicine by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, and Dr. Karl J. Oldhafer.

Dr. Marie-Louise Lindner and Dr. Joscha Kandels spoke on behalf of the graduate students. They thanked their parents, siblings, teachers, and friends. As a German in a foreign country, starting university far from the family is not a simple decision, but, as they said, despite the initial difficulties they had wonderful experiences in Budapest, and as a result of the years spent here, all students have formed a special relationship with Hungary.

The freshly graduated students were greeted by Rector Béla Merkely, who congratulated them on their diploma. He recalled that this year is of major importance: ACH celebrates its 10^th anniversary of existence, our University and the world celebrates Semmelweis Ignác’s 200^th birth anniversary, and Semmelweis University will be 250 years old next year. Many events that give us the opportunity to recognize Ignác Semmelweis’s grandeur again and again, as well as the qualities he set in the service of mankind and which accompanied him until the end of his life: his faithfulness to his medical oath and his commitment to science. He talked about Germany being one of the university’s most important strategic partners and the majority of foreign students coming from Germany. He also spoke about one of his most important goals as rector: to make Semmelweis University one of the 100 top universities in the world. As he said, this can only be achieved by further developing education, research, innovation and clinical practice. “In this profession, we count on the more than 5000 German-speaking physicians who started their medical studies in Hungary and more than a thousand of whom have graduated since we started our German Language Programme in 1983,” said the rector. Finally, he wished a lot of success to freshly graduated doctors, hoping they would be able to practise their chosen profession with full presence and conscience, finding joy in their responsible work.

In the framework of the ceremony, Dr. Béla Merkely conferred the title of honorary professor upon Dr. Florian Steger of ACH.

Catherina Pahl, who graduated from ACH last year, provided the freshly graduated doctors with some advice. According to her, the combination of receiving a very thorough theoretical training in Budapest and deepening the practical knowledge in the hospital in Hamburg provides a great advantage during the first months in the life of a physician.

Dr. Christoph Jermann, Managing Director of ACH, said that this year’s graduates have had outstanding achievements in their studies as well as in sports and arts. He pointed out that the quality of binational training is now recognized by many German physicians and professors, and German clinics are pleased to employ recent graduates of Asklepios. Thus, due to the professional knowledge and the positive attitude of the medical profession, everything is given for the freshly graduates of ACH for a successful future. Dr. Jermann warned, however, that even with good conditions, success can only be achieved by individual hard work.

The cooperation agreement between Semmelweis University and the Asklepios Group, one of Germany’s largest clinical networks, was signed 10 years ago, according to which the joint German-Hungarian programme in Hamburg emerged as part of the Faculty of Medicine of Semmelweis University. This unique educational model in Europe provides opportunity for students of Semmelweis University to do their clinical practice in Hamburg after having completed the theoretical part of the education in Budapest, on the basis of the Hungarian curriculum. Students are taught by respected German physicians and professors, and at the end of their studies they receive a Semmelweis University degree, which is accredited in the European Union as well. By receiving this degree, they are provided with the doctoral title „dr. med”; however, in order to acquire the German equivalent of this title, one has to write a scientific dissertation.