The “2025–2026 Academic Year Faculty of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony” held at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University witnessed emotional moments. As future pharmacist candidates wore their white coats and took their first steps toward their sacred duties in the healthcare field, the excitement of the students and the pride of their families were reflected throughout the hall.
The program, held at the Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center, was attended by BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu, Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal, and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, senate members, President of the Zonguldak Chamber of Pharmacists Esra Geyikli, academic and administrative staff, students, and families.
The program began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem, followed by a musical performance.
A Proud Day for Young Pharmacist Candidates
Taking the podium to deliver the opening speech, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz expressed their happiness in sharing the students’ excitement of wearing white coats and emphasized the great responsibility carried by the pharmacy profession in terms of human health. Stating that the students were stepping into a long and demanding educational journey, Prof. Dr. Safi Öz congratulated the future pharmacists and stressed that they should always embrace scientific ethics, conscience, and love for humanity as guiding principles throughout their professional lives. At the end of her speech, she thanked Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his support for the Faculty of Pharmacy and the University, and expressed her satisfaction with the efforts carried out to educate students as qualified individuals.
Rector Özölçer: “Your White Coats Will Become Symbols of Service to Humanity and Compassion”
Following the opening speeches, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer took the podium, congratulated everyone on the occasion of 14 May Scientific Pharmacy Day, and stated that they were witnessing a meaningful day that the students would never forget. He expressed the following remarks:
“At the very beginning of my remarks, I would like to sincerely congratulate all our pharmacists and pharmacist candidate students who work with great devotion to protect human health and strengthen public health on the occasion of 14 May Scientific Pharmacy Day. I am delighted to be together with you on this joyful day when our students wear their white coats. I would especially like to emphasize that I take great pride in personally witnessing this blessed moment of our students. At such a meaningful ceremony, we are together witnessing the first step of our students’ professional passion and their journey of serving our beloved nation as the pharmacists of the future. The white coats worn by our esteemed students are symbols of responsibility, compassion, and devotion to serving humanity. Every stain that may appear on their white coats while working will stand as a mark of their hard work, dedication, and honor. As I conclude my remarks, I wish our students outstanding success on this blessed path they have entered by wearing their white coats.”
White Coats Worn Amid Applause
Following the speeches, students experienced great excitement during the white coat ceremony. Rector Özölçer and city dignitaries helped the students put on their white coats. Emotional moments were experienced throughout the ceremony, where the pride and happiness of families were reflected in the hall. Students celebrated the moment they wore their white coats with prolonged applause, and the ceremony continued with a group commemorative photo session.
Student Projects Received Great Appreciation
Following the white coat ceremony, projects prepared by Faculty of Pharmacy students were exhibited in the foyer area within the scope of the “II. Graduation Step by Step Student Workshop.” The stands opened by student communities also attracted considerable attention from participants. Visiting the foyer area, Rector Özölçer spoke with students and received information about their projects. Appreciating the students’ scientific and social initiatives, Rector Özölçer stated that the productivity and academic vision demonstrated by the young people inspired great hope for the future of the University.
The program, which was held with strong participation, concluded after the examination of the student projects and the taking of commemorative photographs.
