QU CPH celebrates 9th annual White Coat ceremony

Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) recently held its 9^th annual White Coat ceremony in which 25 new pharmacy students took the symbolic Oath of a Pharmacist and donned the pharmacist’s White Coat in front of an audience of more than 200 invited guests and well-wishers.

QU President Dr Hassan Al-Derham (pictured) welcomed the attendees who included Ambassador of Canada to Qatar H.E. André Dubois, CPH dean Dr Ayman El-Kadi, Hamad Medical Corporation Pharmacy Executive Director Dr Moza Al Hail, CPH Assistant Dean Dr Alla El-Awaisi, representatives from the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), Sidra Medical & Research Center, Primary Health Care Corporation, Ebn Sina Medical, Well Care Group, International Medical Company, as well as CPH students and their families, faculty, alumni and staff.

The ceremony also saw Chairman of Aamal Company Q.S.C H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani honored in recognition of his significant contribution to the pharmacy education in Qatar and his generous annual Ebn Sina scholarships to high-achieving CPH students. This year’s scholarships winners were 2^nd-year student Dima Mohamad Kawas (GPA 3.87),  3^rd-year student Nawal Zoulikha BenSmail (GPA 3.95), 4^th-year student Shaima Ismail Ali (GPA 3.75), Masters student Fatima Khalifa Al-Sulaiti (GPA 3.61) and PharmD student Nurhan Moines El-Shafey (GPA 3.45).

Dr Al-Derham welcomed the new comers and congratulated the scholarship awardees, saying: “These awards highlight your academic quality and excellence as well as the hard work and determination you have exhibited to be valued members of the pharmacy profession and the healthcare sector in Qatar.” He added: “In a few short years, these students will join our pharmacy graduates in the fast-developing healthcare sector, well-prepared to meet the challenging health needs and expectations of the Qatari community.”

Dr El-Kadi said: “Today marks an important transition for these new students into the pharmacy profession. The College is continuing its mission to fulfill the growing demands of the healthcare sector by equipping students with the skills and capacities they need to provide optimal pharmaceutical care and advance healthcare outcomes to serve the Qatari society and beyond. They will be tomorrow’s healthcare leaders and I encourage them to become lifelong learners in their service to the community.” He also congratulated the scholarship winners saying: “This underlines the level of your commitment to making great strides in your future career goals.”

Dr El-Awaisi said: “Congratulations to our incoming students on this inspirational rite of passage. I wish them the very best in their journey towards joining the pharmacy profession. Congratulations also to the scholarship winners -- your hard work has paid off and you have been given an important gift that will advance your plans and goals as healthcare professionals.” First-year pharmacy student Iqrah Mohammad Qurishi said: “We overcame the first major hurdle in our academic journey through tremendous hard work. Wearing the white coat, we are now members of the healthcare family, and we have the strength and the courage to achieve our goals. The look of pride and joy on my parents face assured me that I made the right choice in pursuing a career in pharmacy.”