Faculty of Medicine
303 Hungarian-language, 148 English-language, and 83 German-language program students were conferred doctors at the Faculty of Medicine (ÁOK) on June 29. “Many people think of the graduation ceremony as the end of a process, but actually, it is the beginning of a long journey; you will now learn first-hand what the profession and career you have chosen entails,” said Dr. Péter Takács, State Secretary for Health, in his speech at the graduation ceremony. “Sympathy, compassion, and active willingness to help are the basic attitudes needed to be a good physician,” he stressed.
“You can already consider yourself lucky at the start of your career, having found your purpose in life. It is a profession that is literally about life and is truly for life,” said Rector Dr. Béla Merkely to the newly graduated doctors.
He pointed out that the students had acquired the in-depth knowledge needed to embark on their careers at the leading university in Hungary and the region. He also referred to the essential qualities of a good doctor, such as a sense of responsibility, helpfulness, and empathy for patients.
He recalled that graduates also had to pass the test of the coronavirus pandemic, during which “although there was no such subject in the curriculum, they all got ’A’ grades in humanity.” He concluded his speech by saying:
On your diploma, your name will appear next to Semmelweis University. From today, these two names will be linked forever. Bear both with pride.
Gábor Orbán, Chairman of the Foundation for National Health Care and Medical Education (NEOA), the maintainer of the university, stressed that the pursuit of continuous development and excellence was a vital driving force for both the university and the profession chosen by the graduates.
Following the speeches, the candidate doctors requested their conferral in their training languages. After the oath-taking ceremony, Dean Dr. Miklós Kellermayer awarded the title of Doctor of Medicine to the candidates in recognition of the successful completion of their studies, empowering them with all the rights and duties granted to medical doctors under the laws of Hungary. Rector Dr. Béla Merkely and Dr. Miklós Kellermayer greeted the new doctors with a handshake.
In his speech, outgoing Dean Dr. Miklós Kellermayer emphasized that the most important goal of the training program was to educate general practitioners who are capable of independent, critical thinking, capable of making certain medical decisions, as well as capable of differentiation and specialization, i.e. professionals who are like a “pluripotent stem cells”, and who are committed to lifelong learning.
Speaking on behalf of the medical students of the English-language program, Dr. Ali Alfarwi stressed the importance of empathy, communication, and diligence in the medical profession. He highlighted the exemplary perseverance and courage of a fellow student who was diagnosed with cancer during her studies but managed to excel in her exams despite chemotherapy. She is in remission and attended the ceremony to receive her degree with her fellow students.
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Institute of Mental Health and András Pető Faculty
For the first time, the Institute of Mental Health (MHI) at the Faculty of Health and Public Administration (EKK) held a joint graduation ceremony for its graduates. On July 3, nearly 250 graduates of seven faculties, including 12 international students, received their diplomas. After presenting the training programs, Director Dr. Beáta Pethes Dávid stressed the importance of social responsibility, as the programs cover the whole spectrum of human life from birth to death, be it lactation counseling or active aging training programs.
85 conductors, including nine students graduating from the Illyefalva (Ilieni), Romania training center, were inaugurated at the András Pető Faculty (PAK). Rector Dr. Béla Merkely emphasized that the essence of the Pető method, which is unique worldwide, was to assist people with difficulties and challenges due to central nervous system damage in reaching their potential and living their lives to the fullest. “As conductor teachers, you will have a vision that will allow you to build an independent career and put your knowledge to the test in many areas of education, health care, and the social work market, both within and beyond the borders of Hungary,” emphasized Dean Dr. Andrea Zsebe.
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Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Dentistry
More than 500 graduating students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (ETK) attended the two celebratory Senate meetings on July 6. Thirty of them earned their degrees in the English-language Nursing BSc and MSc, as well as Physiotherapy BSc and MSc programs.
“As health professionals, your duty will not only include coping with your job but also promoting health awareness in your immediate and broader surroundings, as your profession promotes the healthiest possible future,” said Dr. Ferenc Bánhidy, Vice-Rector for General Affairs, in the morning ceremony.
According to Rector Dr. Béla Merkely, Semmelweis left a tangible message not only for midwives and nurses, but for all students, encouraging them to do their best day by day, task by task, and to strive to improve themselves. This is how you can be worthy of Semmelweis’ legacy and enhance the reputation of our university’s community,” stressed the rector at the afternoon Senate meeting, quoting the university’s motto, “Servamus vitam atque servimus – to defend and serve life.”
Dean Dr. Gabriella Bednárik Dörnyei recalled that the majority of this year’s graduates started their studies in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, experiencing the duties and responsibilities of health care first-hand, and often facing dramatic situations. She also reminded the students of the impact and power of a smile and a word of kindness.
Jose Arturo Orozco Jr. delivered his speech on behalf of the English-language graduates, pointing out that they celebrated overcoming difficulties and stepping out of their comfort zones on countless occasions. He also added that it was part of growing up to let go of some things and take others with us; realizing that life could sometimes seem scary, but the voice in our heads should remind us that we were strong and that whatever challenges we face in the future, we should be able to overcome them.
The highest number of graduates in the past five years received their degrees in dental medicine on July 7: 92 in the Hungarian-, 53 in the English-, and 14 in the German-language program. Rector Dr. Béla Merkely, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs Dr. Péter Hermann, and Dean Dr. Gábor Gerber greeted the newly conferred dentists with a handshake. “If you have enough confidence and enough perseverance, nothing can stand in your way! If you set yourselves a goal and are determined to achieve it, your efforts will be crowned with success,” stressed Dr. Béla Merkely the importance of the Semmelweis mentality.
“The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance,” offered Dear Dr. Gábor Gerber the words of Confucius to the new doctors of medicine in dentistry. He stressed that although their diploma proves that they were well prepared to treat patients with evidence-based medicine, the experience gained as a resident under the supervision of a specialist doctor was also necessary for confident diagnosis and safe performance of more complex treatments.
On behalf of the English-language dentist program graduates, Dr. Eveen Wendy expressed her gratitude to Dean Dr. Gábor Gerber as well as the university and clinical faculty. “Be persistent,” she advised her peers to overcome future difficulties and challenges. She recalled how this determination helped her to become the first doctor in her family, even though she suffered permanent injuries as the innocent victim of a car accident in 2021, which made it doubtful for a long time whether she would be able to continue her studies due to chronic pain and severe brain damage.
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Graduation Ball
A total of 85 Hungarian-, 15 English-, and 5 German-language pharmacy students were conferred doctors at the Graduation Ceremony of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (GYTK) on July 7.
“The institution represents more than 250 years of tradition and innovation. Competitiveness and identity-strengthening community building are the pillars of the renewing Hungarian higher education,” stressed Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation.
Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, emphasized that the students graduated from the leading university in Hungary and the region, as the Times Higher Education ranks Semmelweis University among the 300 best in the world, and it is among the top 150 in the field of pharmacy according to ShanghaiRanking.
Speaking on behalf of the English-language pharmacy students, Dr. Amirsam Manshazadeh recalled the yearning for his future profession that he felt when he first drew steps within the halls of the university. “Sic parvis magna – greatness from small beginnings” was his motto, from which he drew courage, discipline, and will during the pharmaceutical chemistry exams or when he submitted numerous reports with mere minutes left to the deadline at Sunday midnight. “Even though we can never fully repay what you’ve done for us, I am hopeful that we can honor your teachings by improving lives around the world, wherever may that be,” he addressed the faculty.
“The practice-oriented knowledge underlying your degree is a tool that can be used for the benefit of your fellow human beings who are exposed to a disease, so that you can earn their respect and self-esteem. Your sense of devotion can serve as a guiding compass, giving you stability and support through daily challenges,” said Dr. István Antal, Dean of the Faculty.
More than eight hundred Semmelweis students from the German-, Hungarian- and English-speaking programs and their guests celebrated the successful completion of their studies at the Graduation Ball. This year, the traditional gala dinner was held in two locations, in Hotel Kempinski and the MVM Dome, where the university’s management joined the celebration; and a charity raffle was also held to support children in need.
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Bernadett Bódi, Pálma Dobozi, Eszter Keresztes, Melina Katalin Kiss, Ádám Szabó, Róbert Tasnádi
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photos by Bálint Barta, Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University
