By Jeanne d’Arc Uwineza

On May 30, the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, in partnership with the Pharmacy Club, held the White Coat ceremony for the incoming Class of 2030. Filling the hearts of attendees with pride and purpose, the event marked the beginning of something great serving as a defining moment for pharmacy students. The white coat is more than just a piece of clothing; it marks the start of a student’s journey into healthcare and reflects their promise to serve with care, integrity, and professionalism.

During her opening remarks, Prof. Shital Maru, Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, congratulated the students for choosing this profession stating that joining the healthcare field is not only a privilege but also a serious responsibility. She further urged them to embrace their journey with integrity and compassion. Prof. Amos Njuguna, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics- Transformative Teaching, Learning, and Research, echoed the same sentiments emphasizing on the importance of integrity, dedication, resilience, hard work, and professionalism within the healthcare field. He reminded everyone that becoming healthcare professionals comes with unique responsibilities to society.

Gracing the event was Dr. Beena Mahida, who highlighted the role of pharmacists in today’s ever-changing world, reiterating the need for a balance between compassion and scientific knowledge. Dr. Beena also encouraged the students to embrace their journey as lifelong learners and uphold integrity as they prepare to serve patients. The ceremony also featured informative messages from the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) and remarks from Dr. Moses Osom from the Kenya Medical Association Sacco who provided valuable insights into financial awareness and support for medical professionals. Additionally, Pharmacy Club and SPHS Executive Committee leaders issued uplifting remarks, sharing words of support and motivation for the incoming Class of 2030.

The highlight of the event was the coating ceremony where the faculty from the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences along with invited guests presented coats to all first-year pharmacy students. After that, students recited the Pledge of Professionalism, led by Dr. Larry Kimani, vowing to uphold integrity, compassion, ethical conduct and dedication to patient care. This meaningful session marked the students’ official entry into the pharmacy profession and a shared commitment to its values.

The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, ushering in the beginning of a new exciting chapter in these students’ career journey.