Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty – Marmara University Medicine Faculty International Joint Medicine Program’s 9th term graduates took their Physician’s Oath during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center.
The ceremony was attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç; EMU Board of Trustees Member Recai Ergün; EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren; Dean of the Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu; Vice Dean of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Hasan Raci Yananlı; Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç; Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. H. Ozan Gülcan; Acting Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Işıl Ö. Kalyoncu; Founding Dean of the EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora; Member of the Executive Board of the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD), Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kemal Alimoğlu; as well as numerous academics, graduates, and their families.
The ceremony commenced with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by the screening of promotional videos introducing the University and the Faculty. The program continued with a musical performance by Mert Emir Gülerler, a student in the Music Teaching Program of the Department of Fine Arts Education within the Faculty of Education. Following the performance, Dean of the EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu, presented flowers to Prof. Dr. Serdar Çetin Aydar, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts Education, and to Mert Emir Gülerler.
“The Faculty’s Greatest Strength and Source of Pride”
In her opening address, Dean of the EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu, emphasized that the graduation ceremony was a moment of great pride and significance for everyone in attendance. Expressing her delight at graduating 38 students from Cyprus, Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt through the International Joint Medicine Program, Prof. Dr. Güzoğlu stated that this cultural diversity represents the Faculty’s greatest strength and source of pride. Recalling that the Class of 2026 began their medical education under pandemic conditions, Prof. Dr. Güzoğlu noted that, despite the challenges of online learning, the students demonstrated remarkable determination and achieved success. She added that the transition to face-to-face education provided them with the opportunity to interact directly with patients. Thanking the families and academics for their support, Prof. Dr. Güzoğlu congratulated the graduates, stating that, by taking the Physician’s Oath, they would become part of this honorable profession.
“Not an End, but the Beginning of Lifelong Learning”
In his speech, Vice Dean of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Hasan Raci Yananlı, emphasized that the graduating students are assuming an important responsibility as part of an international educational model shaped by the shared vision of two long-established institutions. Prof. Dr. Yananlı stated that a good physician is not only knowledgeable, but also someone who is capable of empathy, listens to others, and upholds both conscience and scientific integrity. Stressing that medicine is a field of continuous advancement and renewal, he noted that graduation marks not an end, but the beginning of lifelong learning. Prof. Dr. Yananlı thanked the families and academics for their support and congratulated the graduates, expressing his confidence that they would carry forward the scientific and ethical values of both Marmara University and Eastern Mediterranean University.
“Dr. Fazıl Küçük’s Approach to Medicine Should Inspire Our Graduates”
In his address, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç emphasized the significance of the International Joint Medicine Program conducted in collaboration between Eastern Mediterranean University and Marmara University. Describing graduation as a major achievement reached after a long and demanding journey, Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that the program, launched nearly 15 years ago, has now produced successful physicians serving around the world. Stating that the Faculty continues to develop year by year, further strengthening its international character, Prof. Dr. Kılıç remarked that the approach to medicine embraced by Dr. Fazıl Küçük, one of the prominent leaders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, who regarded medicine as one of the most honorable ways of serving society, should serve as an inspiration to the graduates. Emphasizing that, despite advances in artificial intelligence and digital health, empathy, trust, and compassion remain indispensable in the physician–patient relationship, Prof. Dr. Kılıç congratulated the graduates and thanked their families and academics for their support.
The ceremony continued with a slideshow featuring photographs of the graduates, followed by a speech delivered by the Highest Ranking Student of the Faculty, Dr. Kayra Kansu. Following the address, plaques were presented to Dr. Kansu, Dr. Reşit Mert Bayraktar, Second Highest Student of the Faculty, and Dr. İlayda Mahmutoğlu, Faculty’s Third-Ranking Graduate, by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Dean of the EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu, and Vice Dean of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Hasan Raci Yananlı.
As part of the ceremony, a symbolic tree-planting ceremony was also held on behalf of the Spring Semester 2025–2026 Academic Year graduates of the Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty. Following the symbolic tree planting carried out by program graduate Dr. İrem Oben, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kemal Alimoğlu, Member of the Executive Board of the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD), delivered the traditional final lecture titled “Graduate Competencies in Medical Education”.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of graduation certificates to the graduates, the recitation of the Physician’s Oath led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker, Chair of the EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty Clinical Practice Center, and the traditional cap-toss celebration.
