The first graduation excitement of the year at OMU: 89 veterinary graduates

Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine bid farewell to the graduates of the 2023-2024 academic year with the graduation ceremony. At the ceremony, a total of 89 veterinary doctors, who successfully completed their education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 17th term graduates, took their first steps into their career journey. Speaking at the opening of the graduation ceremony held at OMÜ Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKM), Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Terzi said, ‘OMÜ is a university that carries the spirit of its name. You spent 5 years in such a city and university. This is very valuable for all of us. I am one of the people who witnessed the 17 years of our Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. I have witnessed the research and development (R&D) studies and projects of graduate students. The working hours at the Animal Hospital were extended from 12 to 24 hours. I also witnessed many projects such as vaccine studies, bee studies, and the construction of anatomy and physiology laboratories. We appreciate the dedicated work of our Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. OMÜ is an accredited university and this accreditation is a success achieved as a result of the efforts of the faculties.’
Prof. Dr. Terzi, indicating that the graduates have been prepared for the future by receiving theoretical and practical education for 5 years, addressed them with the following words: ‘From now on, you will go out into the field and practice your profession. While practicing your profession, you must act within the framework of ethical and deontological (moral) rules. After graduation, continue your dialogues with your professors and become a member of OMÜ Alumni Coordination. We also continue to provide postgraduate education at OMÜ. We are always open to students who want to continue in academia. There is always a need for revision in postgraduate education. The feedback we receive from our students is very important to us. We have always taken into account your positive or negative feedback for 5 years and continued our path accordingly. A new building is being constructed for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and we plan to open it in the new academic year. The coming years will take shape with the new building. I would like to thank the families who are here today and who have brought you to this day, as well as all the Faculty professors who have prepared our students for the field.’
Tütüncü: ‘Our Faculty ranks in the top 4 in the preference ranking among the 31 Veterinary Faculties in Turkey this year.’ Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü, in his speech following, emphasized that the faculty is one of the leading faculties in the region and the country with its strong academic staff and well-equipped Animal Hospital. He said, ‘Our Faculty ranks in the top 4 in the preference ranking among the 31 veterinary faculties in Turkey this year. Our academic staff at the Faculty has a successful performance with numerous scientific research. In terms of service, an average of 30,000 patients are treated at our Hospital. Our patients also come from neighboring provinces, and we provide service as the region’s only and most modern hospital. In addition, in accordance with protocols with municipalities, emergency interventions are provided to stray animals 24/7 at our Animal Hospital, and support is provided for their treatments.’
‘An Education, Research, and Application Farm will be established at our Faculty.’ Dean Prof. Dr. Tütüncü mentioned the goals and the newly prepared Faculty building that is ready for service: ‘Our goal is to constantly restructure and improve our institutional quality in accordance with the updated accreditation criteria of VEDEK (Veterinary Medical Education Institutions and Programs Evaluation and Accreditation Association) and EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education). With the new period, the service quality of our Faculty building and the scientific work efficiency will increase, and a new living space will be established between our Faculty and Animal Hospital. Furthermore, it is important to add a 400-square-meter additional building with 7 examination rooms to our Animal Hospital in the near future to shorten the waiting times for patients. Additionally, in the near future, the establishment of an Education, Research, and Application Farm at our Faculty aims for our students to stay there and follow the process of raising farm animals at all stages.’
The first place graduate of the faculty, Kübra Sünter, expressed her pride in graduating at the top of her class. After her speech, Kübra Sünter placed her plaque on the graduation memory book of the faculty. Subsequently, the protocol members presented gifts to the first-place graduate Kübra Sünter, the second-place graduate Zehranur Sevindik, and the third-place graduate Zehra Demir. Students who achieved success in the ceremony cut the graduation cake with the accompaniment of Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü, and then the other graduating students received their symbolic diplomas from the faculty academicians. The Veterinary Faculty Graduation Ceremony ended after the students took the veterinary oath and joyfully threw their caps in the air. Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam, President of Samsun-Sinop Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons Elif Köse Avan, Director of Samsun Veterinary Control Institute Dr. Hamza Kadı, academicians, and the families of the graduates also attended the graduation ceremony.