Overwhelmed by a thousand events, not knowing which to choose, we decided to tell you about them all!
It is easy to say ‘UniCamillus‘… but it is not that simple! We are talking about a University that has three different campuses and carries out different activities even in the same place. It is difficult, but also great fun!
We have been very busy today. That’s why we have decided to tell you about our efforts to organise our numerous events. And the results are so satisfying!
Here is the story of an ‘ordinary but not too ordinary’ day in November—the 13th of November, to be precise—in northern, southern and central Italy.
8am – Arrival on campus and start of lectures
The day starts early at the various campuses of UniCamillus University, where students gather in the classrooms for their morning lectures. In Rome, this has been an established routine for six years now for the MSc in Medicine, and Dentistry cohorts and for the BSc Health Professions students, while in Lido di Venezia (IRCCS San Camillo) it is the second year and in Cefalù (Fondazione G. Giglio) it is the first.
Expanding medical education throughout the country is an initiative launched by UniCamillus, which aim to create an academic network offering students high-quality education without having to travel too far from home.
09am – BSc Nursing dissertation defence
The morning has just begun, but an exciting moment is already underway for everyone: the BSc in Nursing dissertation defense in the main lecture theatre, UniCongress buildings, Rome—that’s the same buildings where the BSc Health Professions lectures take place.
After years of study and practice, the students finally receive their diplomas in front of an emotional audience of parents and friends. It is an intense moment of satisfaction and pride, as these students are now ready to start their professional careers.
11am – Preparations underway for the White Coat Ceremony
The excitement is not over yet! In the University’s Auditorium, also in Rome, preparations are in full swing for the White Coat Ceremony, where white coats are handed over to fourth-year medical students who are preparing to officially start their clinical training.
This symbolic event is not to be missed by the person who has believed so strongly in UniCamillus: the Rector, Gianni Profita, who welcomes the students and their families.
This year’s guests of honour included Andrea Urbani, Director of the Regional Department of Health and Social Integration of the Regione Lazio, and Francesco Amato, Director General of ASL Roma 2, as well as Professor Barbara Tavazzi, President of the MSc programme in Medicine and Surgery, and—in chronological order—UniCamillus tutors Pietro Princi and Giorgio Lisi (General Surgery), Alessandro Rotatori (English language), Giacomo Lazzarino (Biochemistry), Rosa Maria Paragliola (Endocrinology) and Gianfranco Peluso (President of the MSc in Human Nutrition).
The highlight was undoubtedly the reading of the Declaration of Geneva, an ethical commitment made by medical practitioners at the end of their studies to exercise their profession with respect, dignity and responsibility. The audience was overwhelmed with emotion.
1pm – Lunch break at the UniCafè
Between the end of the ceremonies and the start of the afternoon lectures, everyone is a little hungry! The common areas chosen by students for their lunch break range from the benches in the University’s outdoor areas to the iconic UniCafè, where Gabriele and Eleonora serve delicious meals to students, lecturers and staff every day.
And now off we go! Orientation at the Fiera del Mediterraneo in Palermo
From Rome, we move on to Palermo, where the UniCamillus Orientation team is at work at the Fiera del Mediterraneo for Orienta Sicilia, the great fair dedicated to student orientation, which this year takes place from 12th to 14th November.
At the UniCamillus stand, tutors and staff from the Orientation Office will meet hundreds of young people interested in studying healthcare. Students ask questions, find out about courses and take home our wonderful gadgets.
Orientation events are fundamental for universities, because they allow them to inform and above all meet future students. For UniCamillus——a university specialising in health care with a humanitarian mission——these events introduce young people to the world of health care as a possible vocation to contribute to a healthier and more inclusive society.
After so much to do, wherever we are, we must admit that we are a little tired, but we are still very excited—because we have seen the smiles on the faces of our students, we have shared the importance of caring for the most vulnerable, we have distributed white coats, we have felt emotions together, we have met those we will see in our classrooms in the near future.
Passion, competence and commitment: these are our goals, these are our starting points. See you tomorrow for another hectic but rewarding day!