Üsküdar University experienced a historic moment at its 12th graduation ceremony, producing the first graduates of its Faculty of Medicine after 6 years of challenging and high-quality education. At the magnificent ceremony held at the Haliç Congress Center, young physicians received their diplomas and took their first steps into the profession by taking an oath accompanied by Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
Üsküdar University, one of Turkey's leading educational institutions in the fields of Behavioral Sciences, Health, and Engineering, sent off 7,274 students to professional life with its 2024-2025 Academic Year graduation ceremony, experiencing a unique sense of pride and excitement this year.
Established in 2018 with the vision of 'training the physicians of the future,' the Faculty of Medicine experienced the honor of producing its first graduates.
In the enthusiastic atmosphere of the Haliç Congress Center, young physicians received their diplomas, while their families and mentors witnessed this historic moment.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Executive Board of Üsküdar University; Furkan Tarhan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Üsküdar University; Fırat Tarhan, Board Member of the TARHAN - İDER Foundation; Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör; and the university's entire senior academic staff.
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur: “The most honorable moment of my professional life”
One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was the speech by Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
Prof. Dr. Sur, who took to the podium with great enthusiasm, expressed the meaning of this moment for him with the words: "Our excitement has peaked and has now reached a level of joyous release. I am experiencing the most honorable moment of my medical and academic life."
Describing the establishment process that began with YÖK (Council of Higher Education) approval in 2018, Prof. Dr. Sur said, "When such an honorable task of establishment was entrusted to me, we rolled up our sleeves. We started our work with all our enthusiasm not to disappoint the hopes of the families and students who trusted us. Today, we are reaping the fruits of that labor and trust," sharing his pride in graduating the first cohort.
The historic oath of the first physicians…
The most special moment of the Faculty of Medicine's graduation was the oath-taking ceremony that followed the diploma presentation. Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, who is also the founding dean of the faculty, stood before his first cohort of physicians and administered their oath. Under the leadership of their dean, the young doctors pledged to practice their profession with honor, adhering to ethical values, and prioritizing human life above all else. This created a proud and deeply emotional scene for everyone in the hall.
Caps in the air!
Following the speeches and oath ceremony, a flag-and-banner handover ceremony conveyed the message that Üsküdar University's values would be passed on to new generations. The climax of the ceremony was thousands of graduates, including the first physicians, enthusiastically throwing their caps into the air. Embracing their families, the fresh graduates experienced the excitement of stepping into a new phase of their lives.
Üsküdar University added another significant milestone to its history by producing the first graduates of its Faculty of Medicine during its 12th graduation period.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “A journey dedicated to humanity, conscience, and science”
In his speech at the graduation ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “Today, we are witnessing the realization of a dream,” and continued:
“The graduation of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Medicine's first cohort is not just an academic achievement; it is also the beginning of a journey dedicated to humanity, conscience, and science. I am also a physician. This profession has both a sacred aspect and a heavy responsibility. Medicine is not only about knowledge but also about character, patience, empathy, and conscience. You now have before you not just a profession, but a way of life. You will touch human lives. You will heal not only bodies but also souls.
Be ethical, compassionate, and scientific…
At the current stage of medical education, technical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient. We must now adopt a 'human-centered' approach. We need a multi-dimensional understanding of health, intertwined with disciplines such as neuropsychiatry, psychology, and biotechnology. As Üsküdar University, we aimed to make a difference precisely at this point. You are the first fruits of this vision. Throughout your medical journey, be ethical, compassionate, and scientific. See your profession not just as a means of livelihood, but as a field of service. Continuously develop yourselves, but do not neglect your souls.
This country and the world need conscientious scientists more than ever. And I know that you have the strength to bear this responsibility. I congratulate each and every one of you individually and wish you all the best.”
An educational model combining science and technology for the physicians of the future
Since its establishment, Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine has aimed to bring an innovative approach to modern medical education. In line with this, it adopted the "Hybrid System" educational model, which combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. The faculty not only provided its students with theoretical knowledge but also offered them practical training opportunities in Turkey's respected healthcare institutions such as NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi and İstanbul Ataşehir Memorial Hastanesi, connecting them with the realities of the field.
