The First Step in the Pharmacy Journey Taken
The 2025–2026 Academic Year White Coat Ceremony organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy at Cyprus International University (CIU) was held with the participation of protocol members, academics, and students. During the ceremony, students who had begun their pharmacy education took their first step into the profession by wearing their white coats, the symbol of their professional life.
In his opening speech, CIU Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aslan emphasized that the white coat is not only a piece of clothing but also a symbol of professional responsibility and ethical values. Noting that the ceremony represents an important milestone in students’ journey to becoming pharmacists, Aslan stated: “The white coat is not only a symbol of the pharmacy profession; it is also an international symbol of scientific discipline, professionalism, and responsibility toward society.”
Aslan also highlighted that pharmacy education is carried out with a strong academic foundation and mentorship support. He drew attention to the international nature of the faculty, noting that it hosts students from different countries. He stated that students’ professional development is supported through an experienced academic staff, a modern curriculum, and technological infrastructure. Aslan also noted that the faculty is accredited by the Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences (AHPGS), an international accreditation organization headquartered in Germany. Additionally, he announced that the faculty has been accepted as a member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), one of the leading global organizations in the field of pharmacy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pharmacist Duygu Adahan Kuran, President of the Board of the Cyprus Turkish Pharmacists Association, stated that the white coat represents scientific knowledge, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to serving society. Kuran emphasized that pharmacy plays an important role in protecting public health and underlined the importance of students becoming healthcare professionals who follow scientific developments, think critically, and remain committed to ethical values throughout their professional lives.
In his speech, CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Erbuğ Çelebi stated that the white coat represents the guidance of science, dedication to human health, and responsibility toward society. Pointing out that the pharmacy profession is directly related to human life, Çelebi stressed that it is crucial for students to remain committed not only to scientific knowledge but also to ethical values and human responsibilities in their professional careers.
Following the speeches, students’ white coats were presented by faculty academics. The ceremony, symbolizing the students’ first step into the pharmacy profession, concluded with commemorative photographs taken to mark the day.