THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR WHITE COAT CEREMONY WAS HELD BY OUR FACULTY

On Thursday, November 30^th, 2023, the event was held at the Mediterranean Culture Center of our university. The ceremony was attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK and Prof. Mehmet Çağrı ÇETİN, our Dean Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN, Director of the Health Services Vocational School Prof. Duygu VEFİKULOÇAY YILMAZ, Deputy Director of Support Services at Akdeniz Municipality Yusuf DUMAN, President of the 25^th Region Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists Pharm Aliye AKGÜL AYDIN, Board Member of the Güney Pharmacy Cooperative Pharmacist Serdar AKÇA, Vice Deans Prof. Seyhan ŞAHAN FIRAT and Asst. Prof. Şerife Efsun ANTMEN, as well as academic and administrative staff, and the students and families of our faculty.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem. It continued with a musical performance by Research Assistant Onur ÇELEBİOĞLU from the Faculty of Education and our students Arda VURAL and Mert KARATUTLU.

Vice-Rector Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK started his speech by noting that the students were taking their first steps into their profession. He stated, 'Dear students, you are studying at an accredited faculty. This means you are in a faculty whose quality has been certified. I would also like to congratulate the families of our students. Today is a very special day, and you are taking your first steps into your profession. I hope we will also celebrate your graduation in a similarly beautiful manner. Upon graduation, you will have opportunities to work in many fields. Our country needs innovative thinkers, so you should take on roles in the pharmaceutical sector and academia after graduation. I sincerely believe you will be beneficial to our country and nation, and I wish you all success.'

'The White Coat Represents Trust, Integrity, and Moral Purity'

Beginning her speech by congratulating the students who chose our university and Faculty of Pharmacy, Dean Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN said that 'Dear students, congratulations to you and your families for earning your place in our faculty by being among the top 50,000 in the YKS results. Today, you will don your white coats, which symbolize purity and cleanliness, as you take your first step into your profession. Remember that the white coat also symbolizes trust, integrity, and moral purity. This coat carries the dignity and responsibilities of the pharmacy profession. I believe you will represent this dignity and responsibility as Mersin University Faculty of Pharmacy graduates.'

Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN mentioned that our faculty is one of the 14 accredited pharmacy faculties out of the 59 in Turkey, and considered this a significant achievement for our faculty. She stated that our main goal is to train qualified pharmacists with vision in national and international pharmacy-related fields. Prof. CANACANKATAN concluded her speech by wishing all students a healthy, happy, and successful academic life.

Yusuf DUMAN, Deputy Director of Support Services at Akdeniz Municipality, expressed his happiness at participating in such an event and said that 'The white coat symbolizes enlightenment, health, hope, healing, honesty, and morality. Today's ceremony marks the first step into the field of pharmacy and the beginning of an endless educational journey. A pharmacist is responsible for every stage, from the discovery of a drug to its production and presentation to the patient. This profession is one of the most important professions serving the community. I am confident that you will carry out this responsibility to the best of your ability and uphold the human, moral, ethical, and professional values you represent. I wish you success in your student life.'

'Working to Advance Your Profession is Among the Responsibilities of the White Coat'

Pharmacist Serdar AKÇA, a Board Member of the Güney Pharmacy Cooperative, informed the guests about the Güney Pharmacy Cooperative and concluded his speech by stating that they would continuously support the students throughout their educational processes and that the students would proudly wear their white coats, which represent respect and dignity in society.

Pharm. Aliye AKGÜL AYDIN, President of the 25th Region Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists, discussed the responsibilities of the pharmacy profession and said that 'As pharmacists who serve and value public health in every field, we are aware of the responsibility, value, and indispensability of the services we provide. By wearing your white coats today, you are taking on this responsibility. Regardless of where you work, establishing connections with regional pharmacy chambers and working to advance our profession are among the responsibilities associated with the white coat you are wearing today. Our doors are always open to you, valued students.'

Mustafa BÜYÜKKAYA, a fifth-year student representative, spoke on behalf of the students and said that 'Time passes very quickly. Although I am saddened that my student life is coming to an end, I am very proud to be pursuing this sacred profession in the future.' He also shared his experiences with his fellow students and concluded by thanking the faculty members who are educating them to become good pharmacists.

 Following the speeches, the white coat ceremony proceeded.

 The white coats were donned by the first-year students with the help of Vice Rectors Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK and Prof. Mehmet Çağrı ÇETİN, Dean Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN, Director of the Health Services Vocational School Prof. Duygu VEFİKULOÇAY YILMAZ, Deputy Director of Support Services at Akdeniz Municipality Yusuf DUMAN, President of the 25th Region Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists Pharm. Aliye AKGÜL AYDIN, Board Member of the Güney Pharmacy Cooperative Pharmacist Serdar AKÇA, and faculty members.

 The white coat ceremony concluded with a group photo session.