Graduation ceremony 2022 at Sechenov University

On 30 June 2022, the Column Hall of Sechenov University welcomed 3,800 people who were receiving their Specialist Diplomas. For the first time, over 1,000 students graduated from Sechenov University with honours, and 250 persons were awarded the medal To the Successful. There were also more than 400 graduates from overseas.

In line with our traditions, the graduation ceremony kicked off with the traditional academic hymn Gaudeamus igitur (So Let Us Rejoice), also known as De Brevitate Vitae (On the Shortness of Life), as well as the State Anthem of the Russian Federation, performed by an academic choir.

As this year’s graduates progressed through their studies, Sechenov University — the oldest medical school of Russia — underwent a major transformation into a university of life sciences. Sechenov University joined Priority 2030, Russia’s federal academic leadership programme. Our research and clinical activities have achieved the world-class level.

“From now on, you are part of our amazing community of doctors. And tomorrow you will be able to use your knowledge in practical medicine, science, and education. Good luck!” said Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, at the graduation ceremony.

Igor Kagramanyan, Director of the Department of Health of the Government of the Russian Federation, said that he expected brilliant careers for the young doctors. “Being a doctor is not just a job. It is a mission, responsibility for decisions — because they affect the lives and health of people. In serving the national healthcare, you can go forward without looking back, knowing that your alma mater is behind you,” he said.

Yuri Arkharov, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, congratulated the graduates on behalf of the senators and delivered a greeting address from Inna Svyatenko, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy.

Leonid Ogul, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, spoke on behalf of Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, and the Committee on Health Protection. “Now is the best time for you to develop your careers. Be daring, be first, and earn the respect of your patients — so you are well remembered and well-spoken-of,” he said.

Elena Efremova, Deputy Head of Moscow Department of Healthcare, thanked the volunteers and all those who had been working without fear behind the doors of the COVID “red zones” during the pandemic. She invited young medics to work at healthcare facilities of Moscow.

“Your studies coincided with a difficult time for our country — and the whole world, when we all stepped up fight against COVID. Many of you worked in the ‘red zones’ and hospitals, many of you volunteered. And tomorrow you will be responsible for human lives. No wonder we know these words — ‘the profession of medicine comes from God’. I wish you to carry it through your lives with dignity, with pride, and without forgetting your alma mater,” said Petr Glybochko, Rector of Sechenov University.

The address delivered by Leo Bokeria, President of the Alumni Association of Sechenov University, drew prolonged applause. “Practical medicine is inseparable from science. You need to do residency, to do internship and become highly qualified specialists,” the legendary cardiac surgeon told his young colleagues.

Gennadiy Onishchenko, Head of the Department of Human Ecology and Environmental Hygiene at Sechenov University, pointed at a clause in the Law on Healthcare, which classifies the work of doctors as “medical service”. “On the instructions of the President, a similar clause was removed from the Law on Education. I do hope that the Law on Healthcare will be amended likewise. Medicine is not a service; it is a mission.”

“We have developed new innovative programmes for you and integrated them into the curriculum so you could receive high-quality, state-of-the-art medical education,” Tatiana Litvinova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, told the graduates.

She also shared some interesting details about this year’s graduates:

·         the students could choose between 21 specialisations, 17 institutes, and 3 centres within Sechenov University;

·         there were 42% males and 68% females among the graduates;

·         35% of the graduates had changed their marital status during their studies — some even twice;

·         136 children had been born;

·         Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine had the greatest number of graduates;

·         the most enthusiastic students had attended the Medical Researcher Programme;

·         the most responsive and patient students had accomplished the Educational Programme in Paediatrics at Filatov Institute of Children’s Health;

·         the most focused students had attended Borovsky Institute of Dentistry;

·         Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy had the greatest number of female graduates;

·         the oldest graduates had received their training in Nursing;

·         and the most masculine students had completed a programme at the Military Training Centre.

The graduates thanked Rector Petr Glybochko, as well as Sechenov University’s administration, teaching staff, parents, and friends. “Thank you for all this wonderful student life! We have become not only first-class specialists — here, our personalities have been formed, our characters have been built, and our faith in the chosen path has been strengthened!”

Solemnly and sincerely, young doctors took the Hippocratic Oath.

At the end of the ceremony, the graduates brought to the stage the symbol of the continuity of generations at Sechenov University, the statuette named From Heart to Heart. It will be handed over to freshers at the student initiation ceremony on 1 September 2022.