Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector held an online forum primarily for graduating students of the university on 7th April. After thoughtful coordination with the other Hungarian universities, graduating students are expected to receive their degrees with four weeks of delay. The Rector highlighted the importance of making up for the missed practical courses, which can be done by engaging in voluntary work, however, students have to complete all essential elements of the curriculum even in the current situation.
“The leaders of Semmelweis University and its partner universities agreed on postponing the final examinations by maximum a month. The delay depends on the particular needs of the training programmes at different faculties and on the date of the revocation of the emergency situation.”, said Dr. Béla Merkely.
Practical training makes up a significant part of the curriculum at most of the faculties of Semmelweis University and no one can get a degree without its completion. The faculties are flexible in finding the best solution to make up for the missing practical lessons by recognizing voluntary work done according to certain rules.
“Volunteer work should be related to the specialized practice, the details should be settled with the heads of the departments. Everyone doing voluntary work must provide proof of the tasks completed, otherwise volunteering cannot be recognized and accounted for.”, said Dr. Béla Merkely.
Responding to the questions of the students, the Rector informed fifth-year students that they would be able to start their sixth-year internships at the beginning of August the latest. The theoretical part of the transfusion medicine course may be organized through distance education if necessary, and the practical part can only be held after the ban on visiting institutions has been revoked; without completing the course, no one can obtain a degree.
As part of the forum, Dr. Béla Merkely and the deans provided relevant information to the students broken down by faculties. Sixth-year students of the Faculty of Medicine can do voluntary work in all healthcare institutions and GP studios of Hungary. The date of the state examination is expected to be delayed by four weeks.
“The Faculty is trying to give students all the help they need and soon an informative dean’s circular will be sent to the students with all the important information.”, said Dr. Miklós Kellermayer, Dean.
Dr. Gábor Gerber, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry informed the students about the possibility to take comprehensive examinations online in the original examination period. After the ban on visiting institutions has been lifted, students can make up for the missing practical courses, followed by the final examination of the graduating students. This will cause a maximum of a four-week delay.
“Volunteering in public pharmacies completely cover the requirements of the missed practical courses and graduating students can expect a two-week delay due to the restriction on institutional visits.”, said Dr. Romána Zelkó, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Dr. Zoltán Zsolt Nagy, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences said that no delay is expected as they are trying to hold the exams according to the original schedule and the missing practical courses can be made up for in August and September.
“Theoretical education will end in May at András Pető Faculty, which will be followed by the examination period according to the original dates. The oral part of the final examination and the thesis defences may also be held electronically.”, said Dr. Andrea Zsebe. The missed practical courses will be completed after public education institutions have been reopened.
The academic year at the Faculty of Health and Public Administration can be completed according to the original dates independent of the current epidemiological situation.
The deans asked the students to contact the dean’s offices with their questions.
Our article on the previous online student forum is available here.
Eszter Keresztes
Photo (illustration): Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek
