109 pharmacy graduates receive diplomas | Medical University of Warsaw

The graduation ceremony takes place in a large, brightly lit auditorium. In the center is a group of graduates dressed in traditional black togas and birettas, who cheerfully toss their caps up in the air. The graduates stand in several rows of red armchairs, with other ceremony participants visible behind them. In the foreground, in front of the rows of graduates, sits a group of people in formal academic attire.

They have every reason to be proud: over five and a half years ago, they chose to pursue a profession of great importance, and now they have successfully completed a demanding course of study. “I congratulate each of you not only on earning your Master of Pharmacy degree but also on joining the ranks of professionals whom society can rely on in one of the most vital areas of human life – health,” emphasized Professor Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Organizational Affairs, during the formal graduation ceremony.

Every graduation ceremony is a significant event in the life of the university. On May 24, the Faculty of Pharmacy graduates celebrated alongside representatives of the university's rectorate, faculty authorities, academic staff, and their loved ones. The event was hosted by Associate Professor Piotr Luliński, PharmD, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Well-prepared for professional challenges

“This is your big day. It is a major achievement in your lives,” said Associate Professor Piotr Luliński to the graduates. “Soon, you will begin your professional careers in the broadly understood healthcare sector, where most of you will serve others – patients,” he added. He expressed confidence that the education obtained at the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW) would enable the graduates to perform their duties reliably and in accordance with the highest standards.

Professor Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk also highlighted that the knowledge and competencies acquired at MUW would help the graduates meet all the challenges of their professional lives.

“Dear graduates, you have every right to be proud that you are alumni of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Warsaw,” she said.

“Because those who believe they can, are the ones who win”

These words from Virgil were quoted by Agnieszka Bazylko, MD, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy for Pharmacy Education, to remind the graduates that their career paths and areas of specialization depend solely on their choices.

There are many possibilities indeed: from providing pharmaceutical care and services, participating in the production and testing of medicinal products, engaging in preventive, educational, and health promotion activities, to conducting academic teaching at universities.

“By earning this professional title, you have gained many entitlements. This, of course, was achieved through your hard work, no doubt, but with this title comes immense responsibility – the responsibility for people's health and lives,” the Vice-Dean emphasized.

Oath and awards for outstanding graduates

Before administering the oath of a Master of Pharmacy, the Dean and Vice-Rector presented the Golden Laurel Award for the best graduate of the program. It was awarded to Emilia Miozga, who completed her studies with a grade point average of 4.81.

Then came the time for the oath. Fulfilling duties in accordance with the law and best knowledge, maintaining professional confidentiality, and adhering to principles of honesty and diligence – were among its key points. In conclusion, the graduates collectively recited the Latin phrase “Salus aegroti suprema lex esto” - the health of the patient shall be the supreme law. The oath was administered by Professor Olga Ciepiela, Vice-Dean for Pharmacy Education. Subsequently, the graduates received their diplomas.

Following the diploma presentation, Dr. Monika Franczak-Rogowska expressed gratitude to the graduates who participated in the DOMINOS project. These included: Emilia Miozga, Zuzanna Basińska, Adrianna Gabryś, Maria Grabarczyk, Aleksander Kuźmicz, Natalia Rawińska, Patrycja Słomczyńska, Natalia Śpiewakowska, Marta Uzdowska, Sylwia Wołczak, and Agnieszka Zięba.

Congratulations on perseverance, hard work, and commitment

Speeches were also delivered by Łukasz Pietrzak, Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector; Sylwia Lewandowska-Pachecka, Deputy Disciplinary Spokesperson and Voivodeship Consultant in Community Pharmacy; and Katarzyna Ładno, Director of the Warsaw Branch of Inter Polska.

All praised the graduates for their determination, consistency, scientific and student activities, and emphasized the significance of the pharmacist's profession as versatile and essential within the healthcare system.

The journey of a lifetime, though the adventure is just beginning

“I think for many of us, our studies were the journey of a lifetime. Far from home, a new city, new people… it felt like starting everything anew,” said Mateusz Więckiewicz, speaking on behalf of the graduates. “There were many wonderful moments: finding the love of our lives, making best friends, or embarking on a dream career. There were also sleepless nights before exams, 24-hour lab sessions – all to become pharmacists, the link between science and health, between chemistry and humanity.”

He congratulated all his colleagues and emphasized that a new adventure is beginning, full of exciting challenges and opportunities. An adventure that requires openness to new experiences, pursuit of innovative solutions, and a focus on patient welfare.

Master – teacher and mentor

The final speech was delivered by Jan Wójkowski, a pharmacy student, Vice-Chairman of the Faculty Student Council, and Chairman of the Warsaw Branch of the Polish Pharmaceutical Students' Association.

“Today marks the culmination of your entire educational journey. Every decision you have made throughout your life has led you to this room. Today, you can reflect on at least 17.5 years of continuous, hard, systematic, and challenging work,” he emphasized.

He added that the graduation ceremony symbolically ends the phase of being a student, someone who receives knowledge, and begins the phase of imparting knowledge. After all, the Latin word 'magister' means teacher or master.

“As Masters of Pharmacy, in the eyes of patients, colleagues, partners, family, and friends, you will be promoters of reliable, verified knowledge, popularizers of science, teachers, and mentors. Acquiring knowledge with age will only strengthen your position.”

He also thanked those graduates who supported him and other younger colleagues in taking their first and subsequent steps at the university: Aleksander Kuźmicz, Aneta Kowalska, Adam Kunda, Agnieszka Zięba, Sylwia Wołczak, Daria Tkacz, Joanna Śmida, Aleksandra Paduch, Aleksandra Kojtek, Olga Jaszczak, Olga Grzeszczuk, Zuzanna Basińska, Zuzanna Kitlas, Roksana Pokwapisz, Dominika Sarzyńska, and Aleksandra Wolszczak.

The ceremony concluded with a performance by the MUW Choir, the traditional tossing of caps, and a commemorative group photo.

The photo shows the graduation diplomas of the Warsaw Medical University, neatly arranged in rows.

A group of people - choir members standing in a row inside the auditorium.They have their mouths open, singing.All are dressed in elegant, formal attire - suits, jackets or dresses. Most of them are holding open black briefcases or binders in which white sheets of paper are visible.

A group of graduates in the auditorium. They are all dressed in black academic togas and birettas with yellow grappling hooks. In the foreground on the left is a young girl with red hair, who smiles for the photo.

A group of people attending the ceremony. The participants stand in several rows and are dressed in traditional black togas and birettas with yellow tangs. Other participants in the event, also seated, are visible in the background, and the whole thing takes place in a spacious auditorium with a wooden wall in the background.

A group of people sitting on chairs in the middle of the auditorium. They are the rectoral and faculty authorities. They are all dressed in togas and academic birettas. In front of them stands a wooden table. Behind them you can see a section of a projection screen and gray curtains.

In the foreground is a man - the Dean of the Faculty in an orange and black toga, speaking into a microphone. On his nose he is wearing glasses. Around his neck is an ornamental chain and a black biretta on his head. In the background, behind the lectern, sit four other participants in the ceremony - also dressed in togas and birettas. Two wear red togas and white chains, while the other two wear brown togas.

On the left is a female pro-rector, standing behind a wooden lectern, speaking into a microphone. She is dressed in a red academic toga with a decorative rector's chain and a red cap. A wooden wall is visible in the background. To the right of the photo sits another woman, she is wearing a toga. Behind them is a wooden wall.

An auditorium with red armchairs where the participants of the diplomatatorium are seated. In the foreground sit the dean's authorities, dressed in official togas in colors representing the faculties: maroon, orange and blue.

A group of people in the auditorium. In the foreground stands a woman, the associate dean for pharmacy, wearing an orange and black toga and black biretta. She stands behind a bronze lectern and speaks. Behind her, a group of people dressed in official academic togas sit on chairs. The togas are red or orange and black. Behind the people you can see a projection screen and gray curtains.

Three people posing for a photo. They are standing in the auditorium. The young woman in the middle, the graduate with the highest average, is dressed in a black toga and biretta. In her hands she holds a framed diploma. On the left stands the dean, on the right the pro-rector. Everyone is smiling.

A middle-aged woman, associate dean for medical analytics, stands behind the lectern and speaks into a microphone on a tripod. She reads the words of the academic oath. She is dressed in an orange and black toga, with a black biretta on her head. Behind her, in the background, one person can be seen sitting in a chair, dressed in an academic toga.

A group of young pharmacy graduates face the center of the auditorium. They are in the process of repeating the words of the oath. They are wearing black togas and birettas.

Group of 7. In the center of the pharmacy graduates, young women, dressed in togas. In their hands they hold folders with diplomas spread out. On the left stands the dean, on the right the pro-rector. They are all smiling. In the background, to the right, the WUM flag can be seen. A projection screen can also be seen behind the group.

Young people, graduates, receiving diplomas from the pro-rector. In the foreground is a young man who smiles while receiving his diploma. The diploma being received is in an unfolded folder. The pro-rector is holding it with her left hand.

The young graduate, dressed in a toga and biretta, receives the diploma from the dean. He is wearing glasses on his nose and a tie under his neck. The men are facing each other. In the background you can see the wall of the auditorium with portraits hung on it.

A group of 7 people. From the left stand the pharmacy graduates, three young women and two young men, dressed in togas. In their hands they hold folders with diplomas spread out. On the right stands the pro-rector and dean. They are all smiling. In the background, to the right, the WUM flag can be seen. A projection screen can also be seen behind the group.

A young woman graduate, dressed in a toga and biretta, receives her diploma from the vice chancellor. The graduate has long curly hair. She smiles at the pro-rector. She is facing her. The pro-rector is also smiling. In the background, other graduates can be seen going to receive their diploma.

A group of 8 people. From the left stand pharmacy graduates, young women, dressed in togas.In their hands they hold folders with diplomas spread out.On the right stands the pro-rector and dean.They are all smiling.In the background, to the right, the WUM flag can be seen. A projection screen can also be seen behind the group.

A young man, a graduate, wearing a biretta and toga, receives his diploma from the dean. The dean is facing the photo with his back, the graduate with his front. The graduate holds the unfolded diploma folder in his left hand. He is smiling. In the background you can see the rows of red armchairs where the guests of the ceremony are seated and the wall of the auditorium with framed portraits.

A group of 8 people. From the left stand the pharmacy graduates, one young man and 5 young women, dressed in togas. In their hands they hold folders with diplomas spread out. On the right stands the pro-rector and dean. They are all smiling. In the background, to the right, the WUM flag can be seen. A projection screen can also be seen behind the group.

A woman dressed in a black toga and biretta stands in the middle of the auditorium behind the lectern and speaks into the microphone. In the foreground of the photo you can see the graduates looking at the speaker. You can see their upturned heads wearing birettas with clasps.

A young woman graduate, dressed in a toga and biretta, receives her diploma from the vice chancellor and dean. The graduate has long dark hair. She is smiling. The pro-rector and dean are shot from behind, their backs are visible, they have academic chains around their necks and birettas on their heads. In the background you can see red armchairs and the people sitting on them.

On the left is a middle-aged woman wearing a black toga and biretta. On the right, a young man in a black toga. They are holding hands in a gesture of congratulations. They smile, looking directly at each other. The dean can be seen in the background.

A group of about a dozen people. From the left stand pharmacy graduates dressed in togas. In their hands they hold folders with diplomas spread out. On the right stands the vice-chancellor and the dean. They are all smiling. In the background, the WUM flag can be seen on the right, and on the left the pro-dean in a toga. A projection screen can also be seen behind the group.

A group of people in the middle of the auditorium. On the left, a middle-aged man, the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector, dressed in a gray suit and tie, stands behind the lectern and speaks. Behind him, the dean's and rector's authorities dressed in togas sit on chairs. In the background you can see a projection screen and gray curtains. To the right stands the WUM flag.

In the foreground, a middle-aged woman stands behind the lectern and speaks. She has glasses, light hair and wears a light jacket and dark dress. Behind her, the dean's and rector's authorities are seated on chairs.

On the left is a woman in a blue blouse with long hair and glasses; on the right is a graduate in a black toga with red hair. The woman on the left hands the graduate her diploma. They shake hands in a gesture of congratulations. Other people can be seen in the background, the rector and dean authorities.

A young man dressed in an academic toga - a representative of the graduates - stands behind the lectern and speaks. He is facing the photo, looking at the rector and dean authorities. Behind him, on red armchairs sit the participants of the ceremony.

A young man, a representative of the local government, in a black toga stands behind a brown lectern and speaks. Behind him, the dean's and rector's authorities sit on chairs.

A group of people in togas and birettas sit on red chairs in the auditorium. On the stage in the background are people speaking or singing. A table with a blue tablecloth and flags are visible.

A large group of people in togas and birettas sit in the auditorium. In the first row, people in togas of different colors, behind them graduates with diplomas. The auditorium is full, there are people standing on the stairs on the sides.