Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 2022-2023 academic year “White Coat Ceremony” was held at the Near East University Grand Library Hall.
Academicians, students and their families showed great interest in the ceremony, which started with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem. The opening speeches were delivered by Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş and first-year student Melisa Ünal who spoke on behalf of all students.

Before the students put on their white coats, the Near East University Dance School gave a short dance performance for the guests. The students then made their families proud by wearing their white coats with the help of their teachers. After the ceremony, all students took their first steps in the profession by reading the professional oaths accompanied by Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Nutrition Head Prof. Dr. Dilek Arsoy.

Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş: “I believe that after graduating from Near East University, each of you will be research-oriented, knowledgeable, confident and successful physicians. Welcome back to our island and our university.”
Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş started her opening speech by saying “The white coat is a symbol of medicine. While some subjects are taught with experiences and proofs, some subjects are expressed with symbols silently. The crescent and star in the Turkish Veterinary Medicine emblem symbolize the Turkish Veterinary Medicine, the viper symbolizes health, and the burning torch symbolizes brightness and civilization”.

Prof. Dr. İntaş addressed the students and said, “White color symbolizes purity and cleanliness perfection. Now, as the veterinarians of the future, you will promise the same purity and cleanliness by wearing your aprons and reading the current version of the Hippocratic oath 2,500 years ago. This apron will always be with you throughout your professional life.”

Prof. Dr. İntaş said, “I believe that after graduating from Near East University, each of you will be research-oriented, knowledgeable, confident, and successful physicians. Welcome back to our island and our university.”

Melisa Ünal: “As the veterinarians of the future, it should be our duty to protect, develop and deliver this respected profession to a safe future.”
Speaking on behalf of all her fellow students who have just started at the Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, first-year student Melisa Ünal said, “We are proud and happy to have taken our first step into this profession, which is of great importance for animal and human health.”

Referring to the importance and sanctity of veterinary medicine, Melisa Ünal said, “Veterinarians should always serve society and keep their own interests in the background. It should be our duty to protect, develop and deliver this respected profession to a safer future. We are all at the very beginning of the road. On behalf of all my fellow students, I promise that we will lend a helping hand to all animals, become active physicians with the work we will do, and undertake important duties in animal rights.”