White Coat Ceremony of the Near East University Faculty of Medicine for the Academic Year of 2017-2018 has been realised at the NEU Ataturk Culture and Congress Centre.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. GÜNSEL; Vice Rector of NEU Prof. Dr. Tamer ŞANLIDAĞ; Founding Rector of Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Gamze MOCAN; Chief Physician of University of Kyrenia Hospital Prof. Dr. Nail BULAKBAŞI; Head of Department of Medical Genetics of Faculty of Medicine of Erciyes University Prof. Dr. Munis DÜNDAR; Deans from various other faculties, Academic Members, students and guests attended the white coat ceremony.

It was stated that the white coat ceremony began with a one minute silence followed by the national anthem. Subsequently, Academic Members of Department of Music Teaching of Near East University Atakan Sarı and Erkan Tülün gave a mini concert. Later, the opening speech of the ceremony was done by the Founding Rector of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Gamze MOCAN. She expressed that the NEU Faculty of Medicine had opened in 2008, which was the 34th Anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation on 20th July 1974. MOCAN added that the Faculty became the first Faculty of Medicine with English as the language of instruction in northern Cyprus.

“Although it has recently been established, Near East University Faculty of Medicine has achieved to be included in the list of World Faculties of Medicine”

Prof. MOCAN proudly emphasised that although Near East University Faculty of Medicine is a newly established faculty of medicine, it had achieved to be included in the world faculties of medicine. Furthermore, she stressed that the main aim of the NEU Faculty of Medicine is to keep improving one’s self and renewing one’s knowledge prior to graduation as well as after graduation; internalising a life-long learning so as to be equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to solve problems; while valuing universal ethics aiming to serve humanity. Moreover, Prof. Dr. Mocan expressed that the faculty also aimed to raise graduates who are respectful and responsible of their patients and be individuals who have internalised Atatürk’s principles and revolutions.

Prof. MOCAN explained that the education which the students were about to commence was designed with a multi-disciplinary approach. She said that in order to make accurate diagnoses and apply the right treatments, they aimed to raise physicians who constantly focused on updating themselves with contemporary developments in their specializing fields. She made a particular emphasis on the fact that contemporary medicine did not merely settle with only the patients which came to their attention but also targeted to have a wider vision and awareness of world-wide incidences; and the NEU Faculty of Medicine aimed to raise physicians who knew basic medical sciences very well.

Prof. Dr. MOCAN stated that they had graduated many doctors over the 4 academic terms and that these doctors picked up their careers in countries they wished to be in; and also in accordance with their specializing fields.

Prof. Dr. MOCAN welcomed the students to the Near East University and wished them lots of success in the new academic term.

Students to commence their education in the Academic Year 2017-2018 wore their white coats...

Subsequent to the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Gamze MOCAN lead the students to commence their medical education at the NEU Faculty of Medicine in the academic term 2017-2018 to take their oaths and wore their white coats. This moment was a rather emotional instant for the student families and friends. After the ceremony, Head of Department of Medical Genetics of Faculty of Medicine of Erciyes University gave the first lesson of the year.