“WHITE COAT WEARING CEREMONY” WAS ORGANIZED BY OUR FACULTY

The event was convened on Monday, November 7^th, 2022, at the Prof. Dr. Uğur Oral Cultural Center of our University. In attendance were Vice Rector Prof. Erol Yaşar, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Necmiye Canacankatan, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Ali Kaya, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Fethi Atıl, Director of the Institute of Health Sciences Prof. Bahar Taşdelen, President of the 25^th Regional Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists MSc. Pharm. Özgün Sağır, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Güney Pharmacy Cooperative Pharm. Tarkan Bir. Additionally, academic and administrative staff, students, and their families were honored with their presence at the ceremony.

The proceedings commenced with a moment of silence and a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by a musical performance by Ece Atıcı and Arda Vural, students of our Faculty. Subsequently, after the speeches, the white coat ceremony commenced.

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Necmiye Canacankatan, emphasized that the Faculty of Pharmacy at our university has received full accreditation from the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Pharmacy Education Programs (ECZAKDER) for six consecutive years. She highlighted the distinction of our Faculty of Pharmacy being one of only 14 accredited Pharmacy Faculties out of 59 in Turkey. Moreover, she proudly announced that our faculty was honored with the 11^th Golden Havan Pharmacy Institution Award at the Pharmacist Magazine Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Sector Success Awards ceremony in 2021.

Prof. Necmiye Canacankatan emphasized the importance of students' involvement in national and international congresses, symposiums, and forums during their 5-year education. This is to help them identify their career goals post-graduation, enhance their skills, and undertake domestic and international internships and training in various pharmacy-related fields. Additionally, she encouraged students to participate in national and international social, cultural, and artistic events organized by the university and in Mersin. Prof. Canacankatan expressed her support for the students in their pursuit of becoming successful pharmacists, demonstrating professional and scientific ethical approaches, creativity, research skills, and competencies in the field of pharmacy. She extended her well-wishes for a healthy, happy, and successful education process.

MSc. Pharm. Özgün Sağır, the President of the 25^th Regional Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists, delivered a speech underscoring the pivotal role of pharmacists as health service providers and emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct in the profession. He urged students to prioritize ethical practice over commercial pursuits, stressing that the five-year education period, while brief in the context of a professional lifespan, is extensive in terms of academic learning. Additionally, Sağır emphasized the importance of upholding national values and encouraged students to focus on honing their proficiency in foreign languages.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Güney Pharmacy Cooperative, Pharmacist Tarkan Bir, emphasized the importance of the white coat wearing and graduation ceremonies. He underscored the vital role of pharmacies in serving the public and the significant function of cooperatives in ensuring equitable medicine distribution and rational provision of health services. Following the speeches, the white coat-wearing ceremony commenced.

Due to the pandemic, the White Coat Wearing Ceremony for 1st and 3rd semester students could not be held as scheduled. However, the ceremony was successfully conducted, and the students received their white coats from esteemed dignitaries including the Vice-Rector, Prof. Erol Yaşar, the Dean of our Faculty, Prof. Necmiye Canacankatan, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Ali Kaya, the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Fethi Atıl, the Director of the Institute of Health Sciences, Prof. Bahar Taşdelen, President of the 25^th Regional Mersin Chamber of PharmacistsMSc. Pharm. Özgün Sağır, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Güney Pharmacy Cooperative, Pharm. Tarkan Bir and esteemed faculty members of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The ceremony concluded with a group photo session.