School Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Holds The Inaugural Nursing White Coat Pinning Ceremony Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony
By Lilian Aleyo and Jeanne d’Arc Uwineza
On October 31, the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SPHS) held its annual White Coat Ceremony, during which two significant milestones in professional health sciences training were marked: The Inaugural Nursing White Coat and Pinning Ceremony and the Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony. The event brought together faculty, staff, students, parents, and industry partners to witness and celebrate the symbolic transition of students as they commit to professionalism, ethical care, and service to humanity.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Prof. Shital Maru, the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, who emphasized the importance of compassion, integrity, and professionalism as pillars of healthcare practice. She highlighted the significance of the white coat as more than a garment; it represents trust, responsibility, and the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and service.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Amos Njuguna, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Transformative Teaching, Learning, and Research (DVC-TTLR), urged students to uphold excellence, integrity, and empathy in their professional journeys. Additionally, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, the Vice Chancellor, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to nurturing competent, ethical, and globally minded healthcare professionals. He emphasized that the white coat represents a lifelong promise to serve humanity with compassion, excellence, and integrity.
Marking the first-ever Nursing Pinning Ceremony by SPHS, this historic occasion served as a rite of passage that underscores the values of empathy, patient-centered care, and ethical nursing practice. Faculty members presented nursing students with their white coats and traditional pins, symbolizing readiness to serve in clinical settings with dignity and excellence, as students reaffirmed their commitment through the Nursing Oath.
Pharmacy students were also formally coated, signifying their entry into the professional phase of their training. The ceremony reinforced the pharmacist’s role as a medication expert, patient advocate, and collaborative healthcare provider. Students recited the Pharmacy Professional Oath, committing to uphold the highest standards of ethical and scientific practice.
Inspirational messages were delivered by faculty, invited guests, and student leaders, reminding the students that healthcare is both a science and a calling requiring competence, compassion, and lifelong dedication. Parents and guardians shared in the pride and joy of witnessing their children take this significant step in their professional journey.
