(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar University's (QU) College of Pharmacy (CPH) Professional Year 1 students marked the 14th Annual White Coat ceremony as 35 students recited the ‘Oath of a Pharmacist' and received their white coats in a virtual ceremony with prerecorded videos and live presentations. The event started with an opening speech from QU-CPH Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Dr. Alla El-Awaisi. Other speakers were the Chairman of Aamal Company QPSC HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Canadian Ambassador to Qatar HE Ms. Stefanie McCollum, QU President Dr. Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, QU Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences Dr. Egon Toft, and QU-CPH Dean Dr. Mohammad Diab. Sheikh Faisal welcomed the CPH Year 1 students and applauded distinctive students on their achievements.

He also stressed the importance of this profession and how healthcare professionals were in the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While addressing the students, Dr. Hassan Al Derham said, 'It is a privilege to witness the 14th Annual white coat ceremony, which is a significant rite of passage for our students, symbolising what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish in their future. There is no better time to show respect to students who enter the health fields than now - during a global pandemic, highlighting the need for qualified professionals in health care.

This pandemic has illustrated the urgent need to reshape our priorities in the medical fields. Our students are in a precarious but exciting position to pave the way for transforming research, collaborations, and innovations to meet the needs of an evolving world. 'Today, we recognize these students as they enter a rigorous but honorable program in which they will bear the responsibility of helping and caring for others.

They join a community of health care professionals dedicated to serving the public and advancing medical knowledge. Finally, QU is committed to providing our society with a high level of graduates that can impact their communities in critical times, he added. QU-CPH Dean Mohammad Diab commented, 'The White Coat is a ritual of passage at the College of Pharmacy, welcoming new student pharmacists into our professional program, and helps prepare them for the responsibilities and privileges that await them.

The Oath we recite with the students marks their first responsibility as Pharmacists, committed to improving patient care. Our vision is to graduate students who can advance Qatar's healthcare and the world through excellence and innovation in pharmacy education, research, and service. Due to COVID-19, we could not prepare an actual event yet were very keen on continuing this tradition. Thanks a lot to all those who worked and collaborated towards a successful event. Dr. Peter Jewesson delivered the keynote speech in which he discussed the importance of the ceremony, which recognises the transition of young students to healthcare professionals in training, the College's achievements in recent years, and the importance of pharmacists in tackling the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Peter said, 'What a great honour it was to participate in this year's annual White Coat Ceremony.

This event is a great tradition to mark the beginning of the student's journey towards becoming a highly valued health care professional. Hosting this event for 14 consecutive years, despite obstacles such as the current pandemic, is a testament to the College's commitment to providing a high-quality experience for its gifted students. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, their families, and the College for making this journey of discovery and personal growth possible. A proud day for the University and a proud day for the country.

During the ceremony, the Annual Ebn Sina Awards presented to the highest achieving students was announced for each professional undergraduate and postgraduate year: CPH PharmD student Sara Aldali, MSc pharmacy student Sourour Idoudi, Professional year 4 Menatallah Rayan, Professional Year 3 student Ruba Sulaiman and Professional year 2 Emelith Cerbito.

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