The ceremonial session of the Senate, during the course of which graduating pharmacists received their diplomas, was opened by the rector of Semmelweis University. In his speech, Dr. Béla Merkely noted that the university played a key role in the defense against the pandemic, among others by organizing the national screening study, as well as by being among the first to take steps in procuring personal protective equipment, all while high-quality training continued smoothly. “Every citizen was able to rely on Semmelweis University even during the pandemic, the same as they were able to rely on your selected profession of pharmacy,” he told the graduating students. Dr. Merkely thanked the work of the lecturing pharmacists and the health care workers working in pharmacies, who did indispensable work on every front even during the pandemic.
The rector noted in his speech that there were several reasons to celebrate in the now ending academic year: the 250-year anniversary of the establishment of the university as well as the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the first independent Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He also talked about the ongoing investments at GYTK: the curriculum reform initiated in this jubilee year will be implemented for students in every year of training in the upcoming 250th academic year of the university. “The first elements of this were already experienced by you final-year students during your final exams, when you were asked to solve problems relating to practical medication. The renewed system of pharmacy training integrates pharmacists and their knowledge much more into the health care team, places the service of the patient in its focus, and also provides modern, practical pharmaceutical industry skills,” the rector emphasized, adding that this further increases the already high prestige of the Semmelweis diploma. Not only does the faculty place highly in university rankings, but students that graduate from here can also find employment in every area of the pharmaceutical field. He stressed that the planned development of the Hőgyes-Schöpf Merei campus will serve the infrastructural development of the faculty, and will over the next few years create the conditions for providing modern pharmacy training, pharmaceutical science research and innovation, on an area of more than 20,000 square meters.
Dr. Béla Merkely thanked the faculty’s outgoing dean, Dr. Romána Zelkó, who led the faculty for the past 7 years, for her work, and wished success to the new dean, Dr. István Antal. “I ask the students who are receiving their diplomas today to be like our university’s namesake, Ignác Semmelweis, and to never be satisfied with just performing your compulsory duties. Always strive to carry out your work in a way that not only meets the requirements of your specialty, but supports its development as well,” the rector told the graduating class.
The request to begin the conferral ceremony was presented by pharmacist candidate Mátyás Horváth. Fábián. Following the students’ oath, delivered in three languages, they were recognized as Doctors of Pharmacy by vice-rector rector Dr. Béla Merkely, outgoing dean Dr. Romána Zelkó, and Dr. István Antal, the new dean, with their handshake. A total of 103 students received their diplomas at the ceremony, including 6 who completed the English-language program and 4 the German-language program. 16 students graduated summa cum laude, 56 cum laude and 29 with a grade of rite.
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Representing the newly conferred pharmacists, Dr. Viktória Kiss spoke, who recalled this last semester that was full of challenges, and shared her most important memories and impressions of her studies. She thanked the rector, and the outgoing and incoming deans of the faculty for the past years, and expressed her hope that all of her fellow graduates will find their own path within the field of pharmacy.
Representing international students who received their pharmacist diplomas in the German-language program, Dr. Robin Justinian Huse thanked the support of the families, the university and the lecturers, who all helped them get to this day, allowing them to proudly call themselves pharmacists and pursue this noble profession.
In the name of international students who received their pharmacist diplomas in the English-language program, Dr. Abisola Grace Ayanlowo addressed those present, and said that life is a journey and this graduation is only the first step on this journey. She noted that this graduating class, which managed to complete its studies in a pandemic, will surely be able to face every challenge they encounter in their lives.
The newly conferred Doctors of Pharmacy were greeted by the dean of the faculty, Dr. István Antal. “As a pharmacist, you have skills and rights. You can prepare medications, assure the quality of production, advise patients on drugs and their correct use, and you can also take part in research and development. But becoming a pharmacist also means that in addition to acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills, you have mastered the right professional attitude and creed,” the dean said, also recalling the history of the faculty and its planned developments. He noted that modernizing pharmacist training has become essential, and in this endeavor they have considered both Hungarian and international experiences, as well as the expectations of medical supply and the pharmaceutical industry, and the needs of the job market. He emphasized that thus graduation is memorable as the fresh graduates are the first class to receive their diplomas after taking part in the curriculum reform, and they also gained experience in a state of epidemic emergency during their practical period. “In a sense, they have become heroes of health care,” the dean pointed out. Dr. Antal also mentioned the faculty’s excellent reputation: being the best in the country, GYTK is among the top 200 in the world in the pharmacy rankings.
The graduation ceremony was held with the fullest adherence to the currently required safety measures, while the relatives and friends of the graduating students were able to follow the proceedings in an online live broadcast.
For the complete photo gallery, please visit our Hungarian site for the report on the event.
Ádám Szabó, Tamás Deme
Translation: Tamás Deme
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
