At the 13th White Coat Presentation Ceremony, which has become a tradition at the Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 66 students who were admitted to the faculty this year took their first steps into the profession by donning their white coats.

The ceremony, held with strong participation at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKM), was attended by OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü, vice deans, academics, students, and their families.

Vice Rector Kurnaz: “The white coat is the symbol of scientific accuracy and ethical responsibility”

Speaking at the ceremony, OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz emphasized that the OMU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is one of the leading faculties in Türkiye and stated:

“Seeing our new students who have joined our university and faculty today fills us with great happiness. The white coat worn today is not merely a beginning; it is the symbol of a great responsibility based on the ‘One Health’ approach, which considers human, animal, and environmental health together. With its strong academic staff, modern laboratories, and Animal Hospital providing 24/7 services, our faculty makes significant contributions to the professional development of our students. I thank our families for the trust they have placed in us and wish all our students a successful educational journey.”

Dean Tütüncü: “Our priority is to train qualified and well-equipped veterinarians”

In his remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü referred to the educational quality and regional importance of the faculty and said:

“As we celebrate the 183rd year of Veterinary Medicine education, we are proud to welcome the students who have newly joined our faculty. Throughout this long history, many exemplary figures—from Mehmet Akif Ersoy to Prof. Dr. Aykut Özdarendeli—have been trained within this profession. With its educational activities, new service building, strong academic staff, education quality, and well-equipped Animal Hospital, our Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is one of the successful and distinguished faculties of our region and Türkiye. Our Animal Hospital provides 24/7 service and treats over 30,000 patients annually. The active participation of our students in clinical practices makes a major contribution to their professional development. Our goal is to train ethical, qualified, and well-equipped veterinarians.”

“Support is provided for emergency intervention and treatment of wild animals”

Prof. Dr. Tütüncü continued his speech as follows:

“Under the protocol signed with the Metropolitan Municipality, support is provided for the emergency intervention and treatment of stray animals, and under the protocol signed with the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, support is also provided for wild animals. In the coming years, we believe that we will complete both the national and international accreditation processes, as well as our research and practice farm project. The fact that our faculty has ranked 4th in preference among long-established Veterinary Faculties in the last four years can be regarded as a reward for these efforts.”

“The white coat represents the values of the medical profession”

Concluding his speech, Prof. Dr. Tütüncü stated:

“As veterinarians, our greatest desire is to fulfill the requirements of our profession and to serve our country and humanity in the best possible way. Within the framework of the One Health approach, we are fully aware of our duties and responsibilities regarding human, animal, and environmental health. Dear students, the white coat represents the values of the medical profession. Throughout your lives, our greatest wish is that you become hardworking, honest, patriotic veterinarians with a strong sense of duty, moral and national values, respect for people, justice, and conscience; that you continuously improve your knowledge and professional experience; and that you serve your country and humanity in the best way possible. Acting with these values and protecting your white coat should be among your fundamental principles of life. I wish all our students a successful educational journey. May your path be open and your life be prosperous.”

66 students donned their white coats

Following the speeches, the most meaningful moment of the ceremony took place with the presentation of white coats. A total of 66 students took their first steps into the profession by wearing the white coats placed on them by the academics.

The ceremony concluded with a group commemorative photograph of the students wearing their white coats.