Students in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Put on Their White Coats
A white coat ceremony was held for first-year students in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Süleyman Demirel University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. The event, which took place in Conference Hall B of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, began with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem.
During the program, Dr. Bayram Ali Kılınç, a resident at the Cardiology Clinic of SDU Hospital, gave a musical performance. Following the performance, Prof. Dr. Ferdi Başkurt, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, presented Dr. Kılınç with a certificate of appreciation.
Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by academic staff and students’ families, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aliye Kuyumcu, Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, noted that the white coat ceremony is not merely a symbolic event for the students. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kuyumcu said, “As leaders in the field of nutrition and dietetics—a science that touches every aspect of life, from preventive health to clinical practice—you will shape a healthy future for society.”
Advising students to approach university life from a multifaceted perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kuyumcu noted that research projects, social responsibility initiatives, and scientific events contribute to professional development.
Prof. Dr. Ferdi Başkurt, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, noted that white coat ceremonies are an important tradition that has been upheld for many years at institutions offering health sciences education. Emphasizing that the white coat carries more than just symbolic meaning, Prof. Dr. Başkurt said, “The white coat represents conscience, purity, commitment to ethical values, and professionalism.”
In her speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sabriye Ercan also noted that the profession of dietetics holds an important and valuable place in the field of health, stating, “Dietetics is truly a very valuable profession. I wholeheartedly believe that you have chosen the right career.” Expressing her belief that the students will achieve great success in the future, Prof. Dr. Ercan highlighted the strength of the faculty’s academic staff and emphasized the importance of students taking an active role in project work. Prof. Dr. Ercan said, “Please make sure to participate in these projects. Try to learn teamwork starting today. Because when you enter the workforce, work in hospital settings, or serve in various institutions, you will be part of a team. For this team to work in harmony, we all need to develop these skills,” he said.
First-year student representative Nur Şahin also noted that the profession of dietitian carries significant responsibilities, adding that the white lab coat is a symbol of hard work, responsibility, and respect for human health. “When we wear this lab coat, we believe we will act not only based on what we have learned, but also with understanding, empathy, and our ethical values,” Şahin said.
Sena Bacanlı, President of the Nutrition Society, noted that students are educated within a community structure where they learn together and support one another. Bacanlı said, “We believe that by organizing activities and projects that will contribute to our development in the coming years, we will carry out wonderful work together to become better-equipped dietitians.”
Later in the program, certificates of achievement were presented to students who were awarded funding under the ÜNİDES and TÜBİTAK 2209-A projects.
The ceremony concluded with the students, who were taking their first steps into their profession, putting on their white lab coats.