Group photo of guests, faculty, and students
On the afternoon of October 27, 2023, at 2 PM, the Faculty of Medicine at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) held the Declaration and Oath Ceremony for first-year students of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in the N101 Auditorium. Medical students gathered with guests, faculty, and mentors to share this joyful occasion.
Distinguished guests in attendance included: Wang Xiaobing, Director of the Administrative Committee of the China Primary Health Care Foundation; Leong Iok Wa, Member of the 5th Medical Council of Macau SAR; Dr. Weng Ka Kuong, President of Macau Yin Kwai Hospital; Dr. Tse Hok Bun, Vice President of Macau Kiang Wu Hospital; Dr. Valencia Chang, Vice President and Executive Director of the University Hospital; Dr. Wu Qing, Director of the Department of Medical Education at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Dr. Ka Lok Tong, Vice President of MUST; Chair Professor Paul Kwong Hang Tam, Vice President of MUST; Professor Yi-zhun Zhu, Assistant Vice President of MUST and Dean of the School of Pharmacy; Professor Aliana Leong, Assistant Vice President of MUST and Dean of the School of Liberal Arts; Professor Manson Fok, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Professor Nivritti Patil, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Daniel Baptista-Hon, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and other faculty members.
Welcome speech by Dean Manson Fok
The ceremony commenced with a welcome speech from Professor Manson Fok, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. In his address, Dean Fok emphasized that the ceremony marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in the lives of the medical students. He reminded them of the profound responsibility that comes with wearing the white coat, understanding that they are the future of healthcare and will impact countless lives. He encouraged the students to embrace the challenges ahead, as each challenge would be an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Dean Fok urged the students to take on this sacred responsibility with humility and dedication.
The ceremony also featured speeches from scholarship-winning student representatives from each year group, who shared their values, experiences at MUST, and aspirations. These students included Ngo-Laam Tong, Ivan Sio-Hei Wong, Millie Ion-Cheng Un, Anna Un-I Ho, and Miho Mei-Soi Vong.
First-year medical student representative Ngo-Laam Tong
Ngo-Laam Tong reflected on the significance of the declaration and oath ceremony, stating that it imbued the white coat with deeper meaning, symbolizing the trust and responsibility placed in medical professionals by countless lives. He highlighted that the journey of a physician is one of battling life and death, preserving happiness, and that every action stems from genuine concern for patients. Tang emphasized that tomorrow’s doctors must constantly strive for excellence, refining both their medical skills and character, ensuring that the compassion and ethics of medicine endure.
Second-year medical student representative Ivan Sio-Hei Wong
Ivan Sio-Hei Wong shared his experience over the past year as a freshman in the medical program. He noted how interactions with professors and peers had fostered his personal growth and deepened his understanding of medicine. He also recounted his opportunity to visit Hong Kong, where he shadowed professional doctors, an experience that solidified his determination to contribute to the field of medicine in the future.
Third-year medical student representative Millie Ion-Cheng Un
Millie Ion-Cheng Un, a third-year student, reflected on the academic challenges she had faced, and how the supportive friendships she formed along the way helped her grow. As the Regional President of the Asian Medical Students’ Association Macau Chapter, she expressed gratitude for the opportunities to develop various skills and looked forward to continuing her journey with her peers. Millie reaffirmed her commitment to contributing to the medical field through her interactions with professors and classmates.
Fourth-year medical student representative Anna Un-I Ho
Anna Un-I Ho, a fourth-year student, spoke about her clinical internship at HKU-Shenzhen Hospital, where she gained valuable medical knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and skills in procedures and communication. Despite the demanding nature of her studies, she maintained her passion for medicine and strove to balance work and life. She stressed the importance of upholding medical ethics and professionalism in every patient encounter, and her commitment to becoming a responsible doctor who benefits society.
Fifth-year medical student representative Miho Mei-Soi Vong
Miho Mei-Soi Vong remarked that studying medicine is both exciting and challenging, filled with pressure. She recalled the overwhelming volume of knowledge in the first year and how the demands only increased during clinical rotations. However, she found that entering clinical practice allowed her to better understand the core essence of medicine, where students not only develop academically but also experience firsthand the responsibilities and trust placed on doctors by their patients. Miho encouraged the new students to face challenges head-on, assuring them that their efforts and dedication would not be in vain.
Medical students taking the oath led by Dean Manson Fok
After the speeches, the students donned their white coats, witnessed by guests, faculty, and their families. Under the leadership of Dean Manson Fok, they recited the Hippocratic Oath in English. The Hippocratic Oath is traditionally the first lesson for medical students worldwide and outlines specific ethical principles, emphasizing patient autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. The oath also incorporates virtues of humility, honesty, and compassion, as well as the professional ethics that are crucial in today’s healthcare environment. The students pledged to do their utmost to heal patients, uphold the highest standards of medical ethics, and contribute to society.
Closing speech by Vice President Paul Kwong-Hang Tam
In his closing remarks, Vice President and Chair Professor Paul Kwong-Hang Tam extended his heartfelt congratulations and sincere welcome to the first-year medical students. He emphasized that the oath they took today marked their commitment to the noble profession of medicine, and to a career characterized by unwavering dedication, compassion, and the pursuit of improving lives. Vice President Tam encouraged the students to embrace every lesson, patient, and challenge as part of their journey to becoming future leaders in healthcare, taking their first steps toward shaping the future of medical care.