On July 5, 2024, the first graduation ceremony of the “University of Messina International Medical School” (UniMe-IMS) took place.
Great emotion and pride filled the 15 graduates and their families, who came from various parts of the world, including Brazil, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kosovo, Germany, and Italy. They believed in an educational project that began in the 2018/19 academic year and completed it with commitment and dedication.
The graduates had the opportunity to study in a multicultural and stimulating academic environment, oriented towards increasingly international and inclusive medical training.
The touching and intense graduation ceremony was attended by numerous university professors and Dr. Antonio D’Angelo, the representative of the “Order of Physicians and Dentists” of the Province of Messina. It was an occasion to celebrate not only the students' success but also the dedication and commitment of the faculty and administrative staff who made this achievement possible.
Over the years, as highlighted by Prof. Giuseppe Santoro, Coordinator of UniME-IMS, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to support students and improve the quality of their educational journey.
Several agreements were signed with international hospitals and universities, including the “Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science” (USA), “Mie University” (Japan), Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), “Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de Coimbra” (Portugal), and Universität Rostock (Germany), to enrich the students’ cultural experience.
Additionally, the annual event “Freshman & Beyond” was organized, where university staff and professionals provided useful information to help students develop awareness of their future goals and facilitate the smooth continuation of their studies.
Merit was recognized through the establishment of the “Award of Excellence,” a prize for the best student of each active cohort of the course of study, awarded during well-attended events.
Students also experienced the emotion of the “White Coat Ceremony,” a symbolic rite marking the transition for physician-in-training from the study of preclinical sciences to clinical ones, accompanied by the “UniMe Oath,” recited by the students themselves, emphasizing the values of medicine that know no boundaries.
Before the well-deserved celebrations, an exciting and engaging video retraced the highlights of the graduates’ university life, along with social and recreational events.
The ceremony concluded with best wishes to the new doctors for a future filled with success and fulfillment, reminding them to remain curious, compassionate, and committed to excellence, and to let their passion for medicine always guide them in making a difference in others' lives.