The Arab American University has held the White Coat Ceremony for the second class of medical students who have completed their third academic year and will move on to the clinical stage, under the auspices and attendance of the Acting President of the University, Dr. Bara Asfour.

With the presence of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Hazem Khanfar, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Malik Zaben, the Vice Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Ramez Zaid Al Kilani, the Deans of the Faculties, the directors of the departments, the members of the academic staff at the Faculty of Medicine, a number of members of the academic and administrative staff, and the students of the Faculty of Medicine.

After reciting verses from the Holy Quran and the national anthem, the Acting President of the University, Dr. Bara Asfour, emphasized in his speech the distinction of this day, which is a pivotal moment in the journey of medical students at the University, as it embodies an important transitional stage and the beginning of the students' clinical journey in hospitals, as well as a step towards achieving the hope that has accompanied them since the beginning of their educational journey.

Dr. Asfour said, "The Faculty of Medicine at the Arab American University has always strived to provide the best educational and training curricula, believing in the importance of building a generation of distinguished Palestinian doctors who are able to face the challenges of the future and serve their country with full dedication and loyalty."

He addressed the students, saying, "Today, you are wearing the white coat, a symbol of humanity and peace, and you are now on the threshold of a new stage that requires your commitment and feel of responsibility. You are entrusted with the health and secrets of patients. Be confident that the effort and fatigue you have exerted will bear fruit in the future, and you will be an example to be followed, as distinguished doctors who are graduates of the Arab American University."

In turn, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Malik Zaben, congratulated the students on their transition to a new stage in the academic journey by starting clinical training, calling on the students to make an effort, pay attention, and show responsibility and ethics. He said to them, "You are now ambassadors of the Arab American University."

In his speech, he touched on the achievements of the Faculty during the short period, and announced the completion of preparing the self-evaluation report for the Faculty and submitting it to the relevant bodies in order to obtain international accreditation soon. He pointed to the preparation of virtual reality, simulation and clinical skills laboratories, as the laboratories that have been equipped in the Faculty are comparable to what is found in prestigious and advanced universities in the world.

Dr. Zaben pointed out that the Faculty has implemented a modern strategy through which students are trained in hospitals at early stages, which has clearly reflected on the academic level and clinical skills of students, indicating that the Faculty is constantly building strong relationships with medical faculties in Britain in a distinctive way through the agreements signed by the University. He referred to the Faculty’s continuation in sending third-year students to summer schools in various British universities, in addition to agreeing to cooperate in graduation projects and establishing a base for scientific research in the field of medicine and health. He explained that clinical training is still continuing in many hospitals at home and abroad successfully despite all the circumstances, as students have started training this year in distinguished hospitals in Jordan as well as in Al Makassed Teaching Hospital.

In a speech to the students, student Shaima Kaabiya said: “Today, the efforts of the previous three years are crowned and that journey is honed with the pride of moving on to the next journey, which is the clinical stage. We are now finishing three years with their ups and downs, their joy and fatigue, and in a few days, we will welcome our new academic year, not in classrooms, but in medical fields and hospitals.”

She thanked the Deanship of the Faculty of Medicine at the Arab American University for the efforts they made for the students and for standing by them until they reached this important stage in the academic life of the Faculty students. She stressed on behalf of the students that they will be the best ambassadors for AAUP, noting that the Faculty, with its dean and its teaching and administrative members, managed to achieve uniqueness in the speed of development and competition in a short time, since its establishment in only four years, and its constant endeavor to provide the most effective means of education and opportunities to communicate with medical communities abroad.

She also thanked the administration of the Arab American University, which carried a message entitled success, excellence and empowerment, and for everything it provides to raise the level of students on the academic and personal levels.

At the end of the ceremony, the students were honored and wore the white coat, marking their transition to the clinical stage.