Graduates of English-language courses at the Wroclaw Medical University received their diplomas. The ceremony took place at the Wrocław Congress Center at Centennial Hall. There were tears, but they were tears of happiness and great emotion.
Certificates of completion of studies were received by 86 students of the English Division, including 68 people graduating from the Faculty of Medicine and 18 people who studied at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The graduation ceremony was graced by a performance by the WMU Medici Cantantes Choir.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the university authorities and numerous invited guests (from various countries and continents): families and friends of the heroes of the day.
– Today is one of the most important days in your life. It consists of all the efforts related to your studies at the Wroclaw Medical University, but also all the colorful and exciting moments of student life – said Prof. Agnieszka Piwowar, Vice-Rector for Students and Didactics at the Wroclaw Medical University. – I wish you many more successes, but above all I wish you a happy and interesting life.
Prof. Piotr Ponikowski, Rector of WMU, in his letter to ED graduates, read by Prof. Marzena Dominiak, Vice-Rector for Internationalization of the University, expressed his conviction that among them are future leaders, creators of innovative medical solutions, people who will contribute to improving the health of patients around the world. He emphasized that medicine is not only about mastering the latest tools or methods of treatment, but also about understanding other people and being sensitive to their needs.
– Remember – to be a good doctor, you must first and foremost be a good person – he wrote.
Dr. Hab. Katarzyna Neubauer, prof. WMU, vice-rector for English Division, spoke in a similar tone, encouraging each graduate to answer the question of what it means to them to be a good person and to stick to this definition, also in their future medical practice. Prof. Neubauer thanked her, now former, students for the challenges they provided her with over the last 6 years and everything she learned from them during that time. As she said, the opportunity to present the diplomas is a reason for her to be proud, but also sad, resulting from the end of their common path. Similar emotions accompanied the students, as evidenced by the number and intensity of the ovations, but above all, personal and emotional thanks to Prof. Neubauer, whom they called their ambassador in the academic community.
– Today we are not only celebrating obtaining diplomas, but above all the experiences that have led you to this moment. Remember that you have gained both knowledge and skills, as well as life experience that cannot be acquired through any book – summed up Dr. hab. Katarzyna Skośkiewicz-Malinowska, prof. WMU, vice-rector for education in English.
The graduates thanked their families, mentors and teachers for their trust, commitment and support. They also expressed their gratitude to their classmates:
– Together we have achieved something extraordinary: friendship beyond borders, memories that will last a lifetime and resilience to whatever the future brings. Because no dream is too ambitious when you are surrounded by people who believe in you, including yourself – said Jan Dierkes, chairman of the sixth-year medical students.
The audience’s hearts were stolen by Chidub Odera Mba, the youngest of the ED graduates, who began his studies at WMU at the age of 17.
– During these years together in the city of bridges, we have built another bridge to each other, which will allow us to connect across oceans and despite the passing of time – he said.
He also recalled the special and difficult times in which they had to study: – During these 6 years, we experienced: a global pandemic, a shortage of toilet paper, a 2-year lockdown, announcements of the outbreak of World War III at least twice, and finally studying on Zoom, when, although muted, we were still heard by everyone for some reason.
Currently, 674 ED students from 59 countries study at WMU, of which 577 at the Faculty of Medicine and 97 at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. They are an integral part of the academic community. They are involved in organizing scientific student conferences and actively participate in the work of student scientific groups. They also support activities promoting cultural diversity at our university. In the last two years, together with The International Students Council, they organized International Day – a celebration of the diversity of cultures, traditions and customs.
photo: Krzysztof Ćwik
