DOHA: Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) recently held its tenth annual White Coat Ceremony, in which twenty-six (26) new pharmacy students took the oath of a pharmacist, signed the pledge of professionalism and received the pharmacist’s White Coat, in front of an audience of more than 180 invited guests and well-wishers.
The event was attended by QU President Dr. Hassan Al Derham (pictured), Canadian Ambassador to Qatar Adrian Norfolk, QU VP for Medical Education and CMED Dean Dr Egon Toft, CPH Dean Dr Mohammad Diab, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) executive director of Pharmacy Prof Moza Al Hail, and pharmacy representatives from HMC, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Ebn Sina Medical, Well Care Group, and International Medical Company, as well as CPH students and their families, faculty, alumni and staff.
Guest speaker director of Pharmacy Department at HMC National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) Dr Anas Hamad addressed the development of the pharmacy profession over the past few years.
The event also featured the distribution of Ebn Sina Medical Scholarship Awards to the students who achieved a high GPA. This year’s winners were second -year student Ayah Hamdy Maklad (GPA 3.85), third year student Dima Kawas (GPA 3.76), fourth year student Nawal BenSmail (GPA 3.92), Masters student Myriam Jihad Jaam (GPA 3.66), and PharmD student Alya Salah Babiker (GPA 3.45).
Dr Al Derham welcomed the new comers and congratulated the scholarship awardees, saying, “You are the tenth incoming class to enter the College of Pharmacy since it was established in 2007. The College has been an active and productive member of QU over the past ten years, which I am sure is a tradition of excellence that you will continue. In the next four years and beyond, here at the College, you will make incredible connections and build lasting friendships.
QU has established strong partnerships with key institutions in the community, many of whom are here with us tonight. As students, you will have a chance to benefit from these partnerships and take part in service and outreach programs, building bridges to your future careers.”
Prof Al Hail was honoured during the ceremony in recognition of her significant contribution to the pharmacy education in Qatar.
She said, “Maintaining strong relationships with QU College of Pharmacy and collaborating to provide Qatari students with high educational programmes is just part of HMC’s commitment to raise the level of pharmacy practice in Qatar. Being a pharmacist is a noble profession and it is such a honor to be recognised here tonight. I hope to see more Qatari students making the choice to follow the pharmacy career paths like these young white coat recipients.”
First year pharmacy student Dhabya M Al Khater said, “By receiving our white coats and reciting the oath of a pharmacist, we are now true members of the pharmacy and healthcare community.
