Following tradition, the ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Péter Györkös, Ambassador of Hungary to Germany, who greeted graduates, their families, faculty members, and guests arriving from Hamburg and across Germany.
The audience was then addressed by Dr. Thomas von Hahn, Vice Dean for Education at the Faculty of Medicine of Asklepios Campus Hamburg, who expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for hosting the event and thanked the parents, teachers, and everyone who had contributed to the students’ academic journey.
The graduates took the Physician’s Oath under the leadership of Dr. Péter Nyirády, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Semmelweis University. Following the oath, the graduates were officially conferred the title of Doctor of Medicine by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, and Dr. Péter Nyirády. The traditional medical sash was placed on the graduates’ shoulders by Dr. Thomas von Hahn.
As part of the ceremony, Paul Ole Behrendt received special recognition for achieving the highest academic performance of the graduating class.
After speeches delivered by the graduating class representatives and Dr. Joel Lüthy, President of the ACH Alumni Association, Rector Dr. Béla Merkely addressed the newly graduated physicians. In his speech, he highlighted that the ceremony celebrates not only an important milestone in the graduates’ lives, but also the successful partnership between Semmelweis University and Asklepios Campus Hamburg, which has now flourished for eighteen years.
He emphasised that
the collaboration, launched in 2008 between Semmelweis University and Asklepios Clinics, has become one of Europe’s most successful models of international medical education. The Rector also noted that physicians educated through the programme play a key role in strengthening German-Hungarian academic and scientific cooperation while further enhancing the international reputation of both Semmelweis University and Hungarian medical education.
Addressing the graduates personally, Dr. Merkely encouraged them to remember not only the knowledge they had gained but also the friendships, experiences, and unforgettable moments that shaped their university years.
About AHC
Asklepios Campus Hamburg (ACH) is the German campus of the Faculty of Medicine at Semmelweis University. Students enrolled in the University’s German-language medical programme complete their first two years of pre-clinical education in Budapest before continuing their clinical studies in Hamburg from the third year onwards.
During the ceremony, Dr. Katharina Tiemann was awarded the honorary title of Professor Honoris Causa in recognition of her outstanding contributions, while Dr. Gerian Grönefeld received an award for his dedicated teaching activities at Asklepios Campus Hamburg.
Gallery
The graduates were also congratulated by Dr. Thorsten Thiel, Managing Director of Asklepios Medical School GmbH, who encouraged the newly qualified physicians to pursue careers characterised not only by scientific excellence but also by humanity, humility, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
The celebrations concluded with a traditional group photograph in front of the Brandenburg Gate, where the 54 newly graduated doctors celebrated the occasion by tossing their graduation caps into the air together.
Szlovák Judit, Nagy Mária
Photos: Christian Bruch; Szlovák Judit