The graduation ceremony started with a speech from Dr. Balázs Hankó, who emphasized that one of the main goals of the curriculum reform of the 250-year university was to train pharmacists who are patient-oriented, who can treat the patient, not just the disease, and who have wide-ranging practical skills. He noted that pharmacists are not just experts in drugs, but also the guardians of the successful pharmaceutical therapy of patients. He also talked about the Hőgyes-Schöpf Merei campus under development, which will create 21st-century conditions for students and researchers and support the country’s drug industry.
Vice-rector for education Dr. Péter Hermann highlighted in his speech the importance of knowledge and pointed out that students can be proud of having graduated from the country’s best pharmacy school. In addition to achieving excellent scientific results, the faculty also places among the top 150-250 pharmacy schools in the world, adding prestige to the Semmelweis diploma.
Hermann thanked graduating students for their participation in the fight against the pandemic, for taking part in volunteer work at the first call as useful members of the health care system. “Wherever you will be working, you will belong to the part of society whose opinion matters,” he noted, adding that they should act accordingly and remain true to their oaths, being open to new things, having goals as well as faith in the future.
The request to begin the conferral ceremony was presented by pharmacist candidate Zsófia Faragó-Bodor. Following the students’ oath, delivered in three languages, they were recognized as Doctors of Pharmacy by vice-rector Hermann and dean Dr. István Antal, with their handshake. A total of 105 students received their diplomas at the ceremony, including 5 who completed the English-language program and 4 the German-language program.
Representing the newly conferred pharmacists, Dr. József Holp Kirill spoke, who called this one of the most important moments of their lives. He recalled the memories of the past five years and thanked all those who provided support during the years, including family, friends, the university and teachers, helping them to become pharmacists and practice this noble profession.
Representing international students who received their pharmacist diplomas in the German-language program, Dr. Cristian Petszulat held a speech, while in the name of international students who received their pharmacist diplomas in the English-language program, Dr. Javidizargar Shaghayegh addressed those present.
Dean Antal greeted the newly conferred pharmacist doctors in his speech, noting that they now possess a wide understanding of natural sciences, they know how the human body works, the main symptoms and causes of diseases, as well as pharmaceutical therapies. As pharmacists, you have skills as well as rights, you can prepare drugs, assure the quality of production, give advice to patients on drugs and how to use them, and can also take part in research and development, he said.
However, becoming a pharmacist also means that in addition to knowledge and skills, you have learned the right professional behavior and attitude
– noted the dean. He pointed out that the current commencement is memorable for several reasons, as graduates were already part of the curriculum reform, while during their professional practice they also had a chance to gain front-line experience during the pandemic. He thanked all of his colleagues, saying that the supply of medicinal products and pharmacy are professions integrated into health care, which serve sick people.
For the full photo gallery of the event, see our original Hungarian article.
Bernadett Bódi
Translation: Tamás Deme
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
