29 June 2023
The University of Nicosia Medical School proudly celebrated its 9th Graduation Ceremony at the University’s Open Amphitheatre on Tuesday, 27 June 2023.
The event was attended by the Ministers of Health and Interior, the Swiss Ambassador, the Bishop of Tamasos and Orinis, the President of the Cyprus Medical Association, and the Director General of the Health Insurance Organization. Also present were representatives from medical councils, societies, and affiliated hospital in Cyprus, USA, UK, Israel, Switzerland, and Greece. Additionally, hundreds of relatives and friends of the graduates were in attendance, having travelled to Cyprus from all continents.
In his opening remarks, the Dean of the Medical School, Professor Adonis Ioannides extended his congratulations to the graduating class. He touched upon various achievements of the School, notably in the fields of education, innovation, and social contribution. Emphasizing the School’s rich research output and its extensive publications, he underscored their significant contribution to the University’s international ranking. Professor Ioannides also made note of the remarkably high employment rate of the School’s graduates.
In his message to the future leaders in medicine, the Rector of the University, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas underscored the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He urged the graduates to seize this unique opportunity and leverage AI’s capabilities while adhering to ethical, socially responsible, and patient-centred approaches. He expressed his vision for a more efficient, effective, and compassionate healthcare system, where the fusion of AI and human expertise can bring about transformative advancements.
Addressing the graduating class, Minister of Health, Dr Popi Kanari, highlighted their successful completion of the first step in their medical journey and encouraged them to face challenges with dignity. She urged them to seize opportunities, and emphasised the importance of valuing their identity and diversity. She advocated for them to become doers and not just dreamers, and to follow their instincts. She concluded by stating that their vision would be the beacon in their lives, leading to the changes they wished to implement.
Addressing the graduates, keynote speaker Professor Paul Finucane, Member of the School’s International Advisory Board, stressed that while the attainment of a medical degree confers enormous privileges, it also carries major responsibility. He advised the graduates on three issues. They should look after the communities in which they live, they should stay in contact with and look after one another as they go through life, and they should look after themselves and avoid the dangers that too often blight the careers and the lives of doctors. He welcomed graduates into what is surely the greatest of all professions and one that will allow them not only to enhance their own lives but also the lives of others.
In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the field of medicine, two esteemed personalities from Cyprus were awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Medicine) honoris causa. Professor Andreas Nicolaides for his remarkable global and local contributions to cardiovascular medicine, and Professor Loizos Loizou for his outstanding and pioneering work in caring for children and adolescents with cancer in Cyprus.
The ceremony reached its culmination as the new doctors publicly recited the Hippocratic Oath, symbolizing their commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics, compassion, and patient care.
The graduating students had successfully completed various programmes of study, including MD (Doctor of Medicine), MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Family Medicine, Master of Science in Health Services Administration, and Master of Public Health.
The University of Nicosia Medical School extends its warmest congratulations to the graduating class of 2023, wishing them a prosperous and fulfilling future as they embark on their medical careers.