Faculty of Medicine
316 students in the Hungarian, 127 in the English, and 74 in the German-language program received their diplomas at the Faculty of Medicine’s (ÁOK) graduation ceremony. At the beginning of the ceremonial Senate meeting held at the MVM Dome, Dr. Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation, gave a welcome speech. Recalling the university’s namesake, he said that it was Ignác Semmelweis’s faith, perseverance, and autonomy that set an example and showed the way forward. Describing the state of higher education, he spoke appreciatively of the Pannónia Scholarship Programme, thanks to which 8,000 individuals have spent or will spend time at leading universities not only in Europe but around the world by this fall; 590 students from Semmelweis took advantage of this opportunity this academic year. He also mentioned the HU-RIZON international research excellence cooperation program, within the framework of which Semmelweis, like many other Hungarian universities, conducts research with the world’s leading universities, and even leads the research.
In his ceremonial address, Rector Dr. Béla Merkely pointed out that by being awarded the title of Doctor of Medicine, the newly graduated students had reached one of the most decisive and important stages of their lives. There is no higher goal for them, no greater responsibility, and no more honorable task than serving human life and health.
I believe it is very important that students too should stand by the patient’s side and give them their full attention. Feeling and examining patients and practicing minor but decisive diagnostic procedures on them is irreplaceable. Ignác Semmelweis’s most important legacy is this: Never be satisfied with learning and doing only what is required! – Dr. Béla Merkely
According to the rector, the latest proof of the institution’s excellence is that it is also part of the historic event that saw Tibor Kapu become the second Hungarian to go into space, with the university playing an active role in the Hungarian astronaut program. He also spoke about strengthening the institution’s international relations and gave a special welcome to international students, who from now on will be considered ambassadors of Semmelweis University and be able to spread the reputation of not only their alma mater but also of the traditions of Hungarian medicine throughout the world.
“When you decided to pursue a career in medicine, you chose a path that requires not only knowledge, but also human qualities, a sense of responsibility, and continuous learning,” said Gábor Orbán, Chairman of the Foundation for National Health Care and Medical Education (NEOA). He added that a degree from Semmelweis University was not only proof of knowledge but also signified membership of an exceptional community.
After the speeches, Dean Dr. Péter Nyirády conferred the title of Doctor of Medicine on the candidates in recognition of their successful studies, then he and Rector Dr. Béla Merkely welcomed the new doctors as their colleagues with a handshake.
This was followed by a talk by Dr. Ferenc Krausz, Nobel Prize-winning Hungarian physicist, CEO and Scientific Director of the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF). He said that the most important thing for the newly graduated doctors was to do their work as best prepared as possible, with the greatest enthusiasm and willingness to act. He drew attention to the importance of healthcare and prevention, with special regard to screening tests. “Today’s predominantly reactive medicine, which in many cases is unfortunately forced to react too late, can be transformed into predominantly preventive medicine. Perhaps it is here in Hungary that we have the opportunity to bring about this revolutionary change together with you. At the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting, we have been working closely with Semmelweis University for six years to extract as much molecular information from blood plasma as is necessary and sufficient to achieve the goals mentioned,” he explained.
The class of 2025 began their studies during the 250th anniversary year of Semmelweis University. “This extraordinary date has given you the opportunity to feel and experience what a great thing it is to be a medical student at Semmelweis University,” said Dr. Péter Nyirády, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who pointed out that the current graduates were extraordinary in three ways: they are the 250th anniversary cohort of Semmelweis University; they actively participated in the medical response to the COVID pandemic; and they were the first to experience the 2019 curriculum reform aimed at making medical training even more practical.
On behalf of the graduates of the English-language program, Dr. Shamseia Ameer greeted his fellow students. In his retrospective, he recalled the first anatomy lecture when they were overcome with doubt at the sight of incomprehensible Latin words, the memorable laboratories smelling of formalin, and the nights spent studying, which they overcame thanks to the strength of their student and family community as well as the helpfulness of their teachers and study coordinators. “Medicine didn’t just teach us about the human body. It made us discover that we are stronger than we thought,” he said.
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Faculty of Health Sciences
On July 12, 604 graduates of Semmelweis University’s Faculty of Health Sciences (ETK) received their diplomas in person at two ceremonial Senate meetings held at the Budapest Congress Center. This represents an increase of nearly 100 graduates compared to last year. 54 students of this year’s cohort graduated from the English-language program. At the morning Senate meeting, Rector Dr. Béla Merkely welcomed ETK’s international graduates and gave special mention to the recent graduates of the first English-language optometrist cohort.
The Faculty of Health Sciences is one of the younger faculties in the history of our university, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. However, it is the oldest institution in Hungary in terms of training healthcare professionals, as Vice-Rector for General Affairs Dr. Ferenc Bánhidy pointed out in his welcome speech after the opening of the afternoon Senate meeting.
“The diploma that a total of 604 students have received today is not just a certificate, but a symbol of commitment to a profession that requires not only expertise, but also humanity and empathy,” emphasized Dr. Gabriella Dörnyei Bednárik, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, in her ceremonial speech.
In his farewell speech on behalf of the English-language graduates, physiotherapist Soban Muhammad recalled that although they had come from different countries, with different linguistic backgrounds and challenges, by the end of their studies they had forged a community. He stressed that as healthcare professionals, their diplomas not only proved their preparedness, but also obliged them to heal, listen, care, and speak up for those who were unable to do so themselves.
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Faculty of Dentistry
At the Faculty of Dentistry (FOK), 171 students were awarded their degrees in dental medicine at a public Senate meeting held at the Budapest Congress Center by Rector Dr. Béla Merkely, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs Dr. Péter Hermann, and Dr. Gábor Gerber, Dean of FOK. A total of 106 students completed their dental training in Hungarian, 49 in English, and 16 in German.
This was followed by a ceremonial speech by Dean Dr. Gábor Gerber. He reminded the audience that when these graduates began their studies, it was a special moment not only because the university was celebrating its 250th anniversary, but also because education was taking place amid mandatory mask wearing, social distancing, and PCR testing due to the pandemic.
On behalf of the students who participated in the English-language program, Saman Sadeghi first greeted the audience in Hungarian, then switched to English to recall memorable moments from his university years. “As we go forward, let us not forget where we began. Let us remain humble, curious, and compassionate. We are ready – not just to practice dentistry, but to shape its future,” he said as he bid farewell to his classmates.
The next item on the agenda for the graduation ceremony was the presentation of the diplomas to students majoring in Digital Dental Design at the Faculty of Dentistry, who received their degrees for the first time this year. This Bachelor’s degree program was launched in 2022 as a collaboration between Semmelweis University and the John von Neumann University of Kecskemét (NJE). Addressing the recent graduates, Dr. Péter Hermann, Vice-Rector and Head of the degree program, emphasized that digital dentistry was no longer the future, but the reality of the present; the use of 3D printing and artificial intelligence has completely transformed dental practice.
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Graduation Ball
On July 13, 84 students in the Hungarian, 25 in the English, and two in the German-language program received their diplomas at the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (GYTK) held at the Budapest Congress Center. The candidates were awarded their degrees in pharmacy by Rector Dr. Béla Merkely and Dean Dr. István Antal.
After the inauguration ceremony, Dr. István Antal greeted the newly graduated doctors of pharmacy. In his words, becoming a pharmacist means adopting a way of seeing things, and pharmacists have both skills and competence; he pointed out that pharmacists are able to prepare medicines, ensure the quality of production, advise patients on medicines and their correct use, as well as participate in research and development. He also mentioned that the pharmacist training program at the faculty was unique in the world in that it was conducted in three languages: Hungarian, English, and German.
In her speech on behalf of the students who graduated from the English-language program, Dania Alkhazragee looked back on the difficulties of the past five years and their personal development during that time. In addition to her family and classmates, she thanked their teachers, who not only taught pharmacy, but also showed them how to think like pharmacists and how to balance precision with compassion. “We’ve earned these white coats. Let us wear them with purpose, humility, and dedication,” she said to her fellow students.
The 2025 Semmelweis Graduation Ball was held on Saturday evening, July 5, at the MVM Dome. Hundreds of graduating students, university citizens, and guests attended the special event to celebrate together the moment of graduation and the end of university life.
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Eszter Keresztes, Melinda Katalin Kiss, Hanna Patkó, Adél Szabó, Ádám Szabó, Anita Szepesi
Translation: Dr. Balázs Csizmadia
Photos by Bálint Barta, Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University
