49 young doctors from Medipol International School of Medicine are ready to serve humanity

Having completed their medical education through research, clinical training, and interdisciplinary studies, graduates of the International School of Medicine at Istanbul Medipol University were formally welcomed into the medical profession at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony. Held at the B4 Garden of the Kavacık South Campus, the ceremony marked the completion of a seven-year medical education, during which 49 young doctors received their diplomas and embraced a professional vision that unites science, technology, and responsibility toward human life.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Naif Al-Abduljabbar, Consul General of the State of Qatar in Istanbul; Brigadier General Abdulaziz Al-Sulaiti, Military Attaché of the State of Qatar; Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University; Prof. Sabahattin Aydın, Founding President; Prof. Recep Öztürk, Vice President; Prof. Abdulkadir Ömer, Dean of the International School of Medicine; Prof. Aslı Çakır, Dean of the School of Medicine; Prof. Naci Karacaoğlan, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine and Coordinator of the School of Medicine and the International School of Medicine; Prof. Zübeyir Bayraktaroğlu, Vice Dean of the International School of Medicine; Prof. Gökhan Malkoç, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Prof. Mehmet Kemal Özdemir, Chair of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Engineering in the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences; together with academic staff, administrative personnel, students, and their families.
 

PROF. GÜNTÜRK: WE BRING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMANITY TOGETHER UNDER A SHARED VISION
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University, emphasized that graduation represents not only the completion of an educational journey but also the beginning of a new chapter in which young doctors will serve both their country and humanity.

Highlighting the social responsibility of universities, Güntürk stated:

"Universities are not merely academic institutions that transmit knowledge. They are institutions that produce knowledge, develop technology, create value for society, and shape the future."

Recalling that the International School of Medicine has been accredited by the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD), Güntürk emphasized that this achievement reflects the School's commitment to high-quality medical education. He also stated that the University's goal is to become a research university that produces scientific knowledge, develops technology, contributes to humanity, and shapes the future.
 

"THE MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE WILL BE SHAPED BY TECHNOLOGY THAT NEVER FORGETS THE HUMAN BEING"
Güntürk stressed that artificial intelligence should not be regarded solely as a field of engineering or computer science, noting that it has become an integral component of education across disciplines ranging from health sciences and law to communication and business.

"No matter how advanced technology becomes, we believe that no progress which fails to place human beings at its center can create genuine value."

Emphasizing that graduates of the International School of Medicine are being prepared not only for today's healthcare system but also for the medicine of the future, Güntürk explained that students have completed a comprehensive education enriched by research projects, double-major programs, international internships, and extensive clinical experience.

"Our primary goal is to educate doctor-scientists who understand technology, produce scientific research, think critically, and always place people at the center of medicine."
 

PROF. ÖMER: THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WAS ESTABLISHED TO EDUCATE DOCTORS WHO PRODUCE SCIENCE
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Abdulkadir Ömer, Dean of the International School of Medicine, described graduation as the culmination of years of dedication, patience, and sacrifice. Congratulating the graduates, their families, and the academic staff who contributed to their education, Ömer noted that the School was established in 2014 with ambitious goals and a strong vision. 

He explained that the School's mission extends beyond educating competent doctors.

"Our goal is not simply to educate good doctors, but also doctors who produce scientific knowledge, conduct research, think critically, demonstrate leadership, and contribute to humanity."

Ömer emphasized that alongside Türkiye's highest-achieving students, young people from many countries around the world pursue their medical education together at the International School of Medicine.
 

"CONSCIENCE AND COMPASSION ARE WHAT COMPLETE A TRUE DOCTOR"
Noting that medical education is undergoing rapid transformation through artificial intelligence, genetics, personalized medicine, digital health technologies, and emerging treatment approaches, Ömer stated:

"The doctor of the future is someone who understands and manages technology, uses artificial intelligence effectively, conducts high-quality research, works collaboratively, and embraces lifelong learning."

He explained that, with this philosophy, students are encouraged from their first year onward to participate in scientific research, attend national and international congresses, and engage with different academic disciplines.

Reminding graduates of the ethical and human dimensions of medicine, Ömer described the white coat as a symbol not only of the profession itself but also of trust, responsibility, and service to humanity.

"Knowledge may make you a successful Doctor, but what will make you a true Doctor is your conscience and your compassion."

He urged graduates never to depart from evidence-based medicine, never to stop conducting research, and never to compromise their professional integrity.
 

"THE LEGACY OF THE 'SARIBAŞ DOCTOR' IS A SHARED OATH"
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Mustafa Salih Gücez, ranked second in the graduating class, reflected on six years filled with sleepless nights, demanding examinations, and tremendous sacrifices.

Drawing inspiration from the story of the "Sarıbaş Doctor" told to him years earlier by his grandmother, Gücez described medicine as a profession devoted to touching lives and bringing hope to those in need.

He recounted the story of a doctor in Isparta who visited impoverished neighborhoods, treated patients, vaccinated children, and even paid for medications from his own resources, a doctor who continues to be remembered with gratitude and prayers decades later.

Gücez emphasized that this story represents more than personal inspiration.

"The legacy of the Sarıbaş Doctor is not a personal inheritance; it is a shared oath engraved in the hearts of every young doctor gathered here today."

Highlighting that the Turkish medical tradition finds its true meaning through compassion, justice, and conscience, Gücez stated that they embark on their professional journey not only to heal patients but also to preserve the honor of medicine and a culture of solidarity among doctors.

He also paid tribute to doctors serving under difficult conditions, particularly in Gaza and East Turkestan, before thanking his professors, family, and friends.
 

YEARS OF DEDICATION WERE CROWNED WITH ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
During the ceremony, the highest-achieving graduates of the International School of Medicine received their commemorative plaques and diplomas.

Dr. Mehrad Vatani, ranked first in the graduating class, received both his diploma and commemorative plaque from Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University.

Dr. Mustafa Salih Gücez, ranked second, received his commemorative plaque from Prof. Sabahattin Aydın, Founding President. His medical diploma was presented by Prof. Önder Yavaşcan, faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at the International School of Medicine.

Having also successfully completed a double-major degree in Computer Engineering, Gücez received his Computer Engineering diploma from Prof. Mehmet Kemal Özdemir, Chair of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Engineering in the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Ayşe Gülnihan Şimşek, ranked third, received her commemorative plaque from Prof. Recep Öztürk, Vice President and Prof. Sultan Sibel Erdem, Chair of the Department of Medical Biochemistry at the International School of Medicine. The ceremony concluded with a commemorative group photograph of the distinguished graduates.

DOUBLE-MAJOR SUCCESS UNITING MEDICINE AND TECHNOLOGY
Students who successfully completed double-major programs alongside their medical education also received their diplomas during the ceremony.

Dr. Sezgin Er, Dr. Mehmet Berke İşler, Dr. Muhammed Tayfur Ertaş, Dr. Ömer Faruk Durugöl, Dr. Melih Akif Yıldırım, and Dr. Hacı Burhanettin Yıldırım were awarded diplomas for completing the Computer Engineeringdouble-major program.

Dr. Sezgin Er attracted particular attention through his international work on artificial intelligence in medical imaging. He has contributed to the development of AI models capable of detecting diseases from chest computed tomography scans and interpreting medical images, while also taking leading roles in various international research projects and competitions.

The ceremony also highlighted that Er serves as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Forithmus, a company specializing in medical artificial intelligence, where he focuses on developing AI systems to support healthcare services in regions with limited access to expert radiologists.

Dr. Zeliha Eren and Dr. Berranur Orkal, who completed the Psychology double-major program, also received their diplomas.
 

A CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT, SCIENCE, AND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP
The Outstanding Emergency Medicine Intern Award, presented on behalf of the Emergency Medicine Specialists Association, was awarded to Dr. Mehrad Vatani by Prof. Abdulkadir Ömer, Dean of the International School of Medicine.

Among the graduates recognized for academic excellence was Dr. Rima Akil, who has co-authored three peer-reviewed international publications on hematological cancers, presented an oral poster at an international leukemia-lymphoma congress, and presented her research on protecting children from risks in the digital world at international scientific meetings.

Another memorable moment occurred during the diploma presentation for Dr. Khalid Al-Ajji, the son of the Qatari Military Attaché. His diploma was presented in the presence of Dr. Naif Al-Abduljabbar, Consul General of the State of Qatar in Istanbul, and Brigadier General Abdulaziz Al-Sulaiti, Military Attaché of the State of Qatar, by Prof. Abdulkadir Ömer, Dean of the International School of Medicine, and Prof. Mehmet Kemal Özdemir, Chair of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Engineering. The presentation was followed by a commemorative photograph.
 

THE DOCTORS' OATH TO CONSCIENCE, HONOR, AND HUMANITY
One of the most significant moments of the ceremony was the recitation of the Doctors' oath by the graduates of the International School of Medicine.

Led by Prof. Ayhan Taştekin, the newly graduated Doctors pledged to begin their professional careers with a commitment to placing human life first, protecting patient confidentiality, and upholding the ethical responsibilities of medicine.

During the oath, they declared: "I will practice my profession with conscience and honor."

They emphasized that medicine must be guided not only by knowledge and technical expertise but also by moral responsibility. The graduates further pledged that no form of discrimination would ever stand between them and their patients, declaring:

"I solemnly swear that I will never use my medical knowledge against the values and principles of humanity."
 

The ceremony concluded with the graduates joyfully tossing their caps into the air.