The University of Pretoria hosted its first physical Declaration Ceremonies after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic for students in nine Programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Parents, guardians, spouses, partners, and loved ones witnessed as the School of Medicine unveiled the country's next generation of healthcare professionals at its Declaration Ceremonies. In a series of declaration ceremonies, newly qualified Clinical Associates (BCMP) and doctors (MBChB) took their oaths before starting their careers. The ceremonies took place on 01 December and 05 December 2022, respectively.

Led in a joint declaration by the Chairperson of the School of Medicine, Professor Priya Soma-Pillay, the newly qualified Clinical Associates declared their commitment to the principles and ethical values they will abide by throughout their professional lives. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Clinical Associate Nabeela Sujee, lecturer & Simulation Laboratory coordinator at the University of the Witwatersrand, called on the new cohort of clinical associates to proudly carry the clinical associate name wherever they go. She also urged them to envision a clinical associate profession that embodies patient, individual, and community care. 

The Declaration Ceremony for final-year medical students took place at the University's Rembrandt Hall in an atmosphere filled with boisterous excitement and cheers. Loud ululations from proud parents were the order of the day as newly qualified doctors took to the stage to sign the declaration certificate and receive their completion of degree certificates. The young doctors were encouraged by Professor Mike Sathekge, Head of the Nuclear Medicine department at the University of Pretoria, and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, who delivered an inspiring opening address at the ceremony. Professor Soma-Pillay led the young doctors in a joint declaration. 

To watch the Declaration Ceremony for the School of Medicine please click on the video below.

The Declaration Ceremony for the School of Dentistry on 02 December 2022 saw the newly qualified dentists and oral hygienists taking a solemn declaration to honor their profession as they vowed to practice with honesty and integrity. Professor Londiwe Shangase, Chairperson of the School of Dentistry, led the new graduates in a joint declaration in front of proud parents, family, friends, and members of the academic fraternity. Guest Speaker Prof Flavia Senkubuge – Deputy Dean: Stakeholder and Relations, hailed the graduates' strength, sacrifice, and determination and emphasized the importance of oath-taking. 

"Many have set in the same position that you sit in today, and many will come after you, but one thing binds each one of you together, and that is the commitment to upholding your profession at all costs, to execute your work with the utmost dignity, decorum, respect, and humility - that is the oath that you are taking today."

To watch the Declaration Ceremony for the School of Dentistry (BChD & BOH) please click on the video  below.

The young health professionals from the School of Healthcare Sciences took their oath on 13 December 2022. They completed community service, passed their exams, and will graduate in April 2023 with degrees, including a Bachelor of Dietetics, Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and Bachelor of Radiography.

To watch the Declaration Ceremony for the School of Healthcare Sciences please click on the video below.