GRADUATION AND OATH CEREMONY FOR THE 2024–2025 ACADEMIC YEAR HELD WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM

The 2024–2025 Academic Year Graduation and Oath Ceremony of our Faculty was held with great enthusiasm on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Akdeniz Cultural Center of our University.

The ceremony was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Prof. Fethi ATIL, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing Prof. Duygu VEFIKULUÇAY YILMAZ, General Secretary of the TPA 25^th Region Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists Pharm. Cemil Oktay ASLAN, Board Member of the Güney Pharmacy Cooperative Pharm. Yasemin EMRE, Head of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs Osman Nuri RAMAZAN, along with academic staff, administrative personnel, graduates and their families.

The event commenced with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, followed by a musical performance by students of the Faculty. A video presentation reflecting the students' five-year journey was then shown. The graduation and oath ceremony continued with opening speeches.

“Mersin University Touches Every Segment of Society”

Starting his speech by providing information about the university, Vice Rector Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK stated: “Our University continues its development in every field, reaching high standards in its educational programs and contributing to all segments of society through its cultural and social activities. Together with all our stakeholders, we are working diligently to make our university one of the most respected and internationally recognized institutions in our country. As one concrete outcome of these efforts, I would like to share the results of the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, where universities are assessed based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participating for the second time this year, our university ranked in the 801–1000 band overall among 2,318 institutions worldwide; in the 201–300 band in Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities, in the 401–600 band in Gender Equality, and in the 601–800 band in Good Health and Well-being.”

“Pharmacy is a Symbol of Great Responsibility and Trust”

Addressing the graduates, Prof. Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK continued: “Dear graduates, the journey you embarked upon with excitement years ago is now evolving into a new chapter. This journey is not just about scientific knowledge, but also requires a blend of ethics, patience, attention, and compassion. You have completed this process successfully and now bear the title of 'pharmacist' — a title that represents not only a profession but also a symbol of great responsibility and trust. May you always practice your profession with conscience, care, and passion. While you graduate today, your professional development will be a lifelong journey. Stay connected with our university and faculty. You are invaluable assets to our nation. I wish for your love of humanity and passion for your profession to remain strong. I also thank our esteemed faculty members for guiding you with knowledge and dedication. Dear families, you made the greatest sacrifices during your children’s education. Today is a special day filled with well-deserved pride. Congratulations to all of you.”

“Our Faculty is Among the 14 Accredited Pharmacy Faculties in Türkiye”

Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN stated: “Pharmacy is an ethically grounded discipline shaped by science, tasked with transforming active substances into medicines and maintaining public health. As a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, pharmacy requires faculties to continuously renew and improve their educational processes. In this direction, our faculty embraces a vision based on institutionalizing a culture of quality in education, ongoing innovation, and excellence. Accreditation is not merely meeting certain standards but is essentially a dynamic process centered on continuous improvement and quality. As of 2025, our faculty has been reaccredited for another six years, a clear indicator of our academic stance, teamwork, and commitment to quality.”

“Pursue Your Dreams with Determination and Never Give Up”

Emphasizing the importance of university-industry collaboration, Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN added: “We have cooperation protocols with leading companies in the sector such as Abdi İbrahim and Eczacıbaşı. To date, 1,105 pharmacists have graduated from our faculty. I sincerely thank our Rector Prof. Erol YAŞAR, our valuable academic staff, and all faculty members who have contributed to the education and training process. Their support has been fundamental to our success. Dear families, today you are experiencing one of the proudest moments of your lives. Your children are stepping into their professional careers as pharmacists. Your efforts have played a vital role in this success. I wholeheartedly congratulate you and hope you witness many more accomplishments of your children. Dear graduates, as you take your professional oath today, you are beginning a new journey. I wish you health, happiness, and success. Know that we will always stand by you. Pursue your dreams with determination, and never give up on your goals under any circumstances.”

Prof. Necmiye CANACANKATAN concluded: “Dear graduates, I sincerely believe that you will achieve great things in your future roles, whether in Türkiye or abroad. Our doors will always be open to you. I am confident that you will make us proud and represent us in the best way as competent pharmacists equipped with the scientific knowledge and ethical values you acquired in our faculty. Congratulations to you and your precious families. May your journey ahead be bright.”

“Our Cooperative Will Always Support Our Graduates and Students”

Board Member of Güney Pharmacy Cooperative, Pharm. Yasemin EMRE, said: “It’s a great pleasure to share in your excitement on this special day as you take your first steps into your professional life. One of the most important aspects of success in this field is understanding the sector closely. The pharmaceutical sector is a powerful and impactful industry that drives the global economy. Our pharmacy organizations are among the strongest and most established professional bodies in our country. We work tirelessly to protect the rights and interests of pharmacists. The unity we maintain is especially sustained through strong cooperation with our faculties. For us, faculties are invaluable. As a cooperative, we do our best to support them. Remember, you are never alone. Your fellow professionals and organizations are always by your side. I wish you all success in your careers.”

“Pharmacy is at the Heart of Public Health”

General Secretary of the TPA 25th Region Mersin Chamber of Pharmacists, Pharm. Cemil Oktay ASLAN, stated: “You have shown great effort and patience throughout your student years. Now it's time to enjoy the rewards of that hard work. We have done our best to support our faculty's educational quality and will continue to fulfill our responsibilities. Pharmacy is not just about prescriptions and shelves — it is also about production, decision-making, and playing a central role in public health. When you adopt this understanding, you will realize just how powerful and influential your profession is. Don’t forget — your chamber is the guarantee of your profession. With your energy and contributions, we will become even stronger. I wish you all a successful and honorable professional life.”

At the ceremony, the top student of the 2024–2025 academic year, Pharmacist Şerifali GÜNGÖR, and the student representative, Pharmacist Şeyhmuz ATIZ, gave emotional speeches thanking their families and the academic staff. Following the opening speeches, the ceremony continued with the top student of the period, Pharmacist Şerifali GÜNGÖR, nailing the period plaque to the graduation tree.

The ceremony continued with the traditional pharmacist’s oath administered by Asst. Prof. Meryem TEMİZ REŞİTOĞLU. The ceremony ended with the graduates throwing their caps into the air.