2015-2016 Academic Year White Coat and Opening Ceremony of NEU Faculty of Medicine was held at the Main Hall of Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre (AKKM) with intense participation.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, Professor Ilkay Salihoğlu, the Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. Şenol Bektaş and Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, vice rectors of NEU, Prof. Dr. Gamze Mocan, Dean of NEU Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Emin Kansu and Prof. Dr. Tülay Kansu from Hacettepe University, deans of faculties, chairpersons of departments, academic staff, students and their families attended the ceremony.
The Ceremony began with a moment of silence in commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his fellow fighters as well as for all martyrs and followed by National Anthem.
After the music recital performed by Atakan Sarı and Nurman Aylanç, faculty members at the Department of Music Teaching of Atatürk Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Gamze Mocan, Dean of NEU Faculty of Medicine, delivered the opening speech.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Gamze Mocan welcomed the attending body and emphasized the crucial role of the Near East University in providing quality education and paving the way for students to achieve good careers and establish a competitive edge over others.
“Dear university administrators, dear faculty members and our valued colleagues, dear chairpersons and members of civil society organizations, dear students and their dedicated parents, dear guests, fellows and dear press members, welcome to the White Coat and Opening Ceremony of NEU Faculty of Medicine.
The Near East University with its competent academic staff and vast educational facilities offers quality education in Northern Republic of Cyprus capital city Nicosia since its establishment in 1988. Distinguished students coming from approximately 120 countries receive their education at the Near East University. The Near East University is a full member of many international bodies and it has an international identity. The Near East University Faculty of Medicine was opened on 20 July 2008 corresponding to the 34th anniversary of the Peace Operation. As the only Faculty of Medicine on the island of Cyprus on those days, it began its educational life with the White Coat Ceremony held on October 7, 2008. NEU Faculty of Medicine, which is an eight-year-old new faculty, is not a 'Franchise' faculty of medicine like the newly opened ones even without a library. Our faculty is a fully equipped institution with its ultra modern hospital. Faculties of medicine and university hospitals are academically qualified institutions that carry out their functions as a whole. The basic goal of NEU Faculty of Medicine is to cultivate highly qualified, rational, creative and free thinking medical physicians who are devoted to global and professional ethics and equipped with comprehensive professional knowledge and practice. In order to ensure a standard of excellence in education and performance and pave the way for the students to achieve success in their future career and competence in all areas of their practice, organ/system based integrated educational system is implemented. Courses have been planned as multidisciplinary in accordance with the topics. We are committed to cultivate first caliber medical doctors who are devoted to ensuring public health and the wellbeing of mankind as well as aware of the key role of lifelong learning in keeping their professional knowledge up to date and utilizing from the latest treatment techniques in medicine. The establishment of a close and harmonious relation with the patient is also essential for the delivery of high-quality health care in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. To this end, NEU Faculty of Medicine teaches students from the beginning, even before they set foot in hospitals, to be respectful, considerate and responsible to maintain a professional relation with patients and uphold patients’ dignity” said she.
Addressing to Term 1 students, Professor Gamze Mocan underlined that they should be go-getter persons without feeling boredom and reluctance. "Dear First Term students, welcome to Near East Family. Medical science needs altruism. It is an arduous and long run process. You have set foot on this road. You have to go on your way without giving up and feeling boredom. In this arduous and long process, I wish you convenience and success. I congratulate you for choosing the difficult to achieve. Dear Parents and relatives, you brought up your children with great devotion and now you are in excitement and happiness. Be sure that, we share the same feelings. Your children are our children as well. It's you who brought them up, it will be us who will widen their horizons and worldviews and will pave the way for them to achieve a good career and gain a competitive edge over others. Known as an island of universities, the island of Cyprus with its natural attractions, climate, and rich historical and cultural heritage is a beautiful land waiting to be discovered. Living and receiving education on the island and receiving this education especially at the Near East University is a privilege. Health is our most valuable asset. You will not only become a fine doctor, but you will be a doctor who can make the world healthier by giving hope and providing contemporary and safe treatment options for health issues and contribute to the wellbeing of mankind. While you feel pride and privilege of being a graduate of NEU Faculty of Medicine, which is the home of contemporary education and science, we will be proud of you as well. In this regard, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel for bringing such a contemporary faculty of medicine and its world brand hospital into life. I also extend my gratitude to NEU Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irfan S. Günsel, NEU Rector Prof. Dr. Umit Hassan, vice rectors, training coordinators of the Faculty of Medicine, faculty members and all academic and administrative staff.
I am confident that our faculty will cultivate highly qualified, devoted, rational and honest physicians who are dedicated to public health and wellbeing of mankind and adopted medical scientists, who received Nobel Prize in Medicine, as idol. On this significant day, I would like to extend my thanks for your participation. I wish everyone health and happiness with my sincerest love and respect” said she.
Following the dean's speech, the White Coat Ceremony was realized. The students wore their white coats and took Oath of Medicine in unison.