An ‘Appointment and Promotion Ceremony’ was held for 59 academics who were appointed to the professorship, associate professorship and assistant professorship positions at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Medicine in 2019-2022. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar and Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) Assembly President Selami Özpoyraz presented the robes to the academics, who were living one of the most exciting days of their professional life. Zafer Beken, Chairman of the Board of IUE Medical Park Hospital, and the families of the academics also attended the ceremony held on the campus of IUE.

WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Speaking at the ceremony, IZTO Assembly President and IUE Board of Trustees Member Selami Özpoyraz pointed out that healthcare workers undertook very important duties during the pandemic. Özpoyraz said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our habits and lifestyles. It reminded us about the fact that health is more important than anything. However, there is another very clear situation that this period showed us; that is, how important physicians and healthcare workers are, whom love their profession, not lose hope in the face of difficulties, and work diligently to be beneficial to humanity. Technology is developing rapidly, information is constantly renewed, and digitalization shapes our lives. Medicine is changing accordingly. The only thing that does not change is the need for healthcare workers who put people at the center and struggle to relieve the pain of societies.”

WE WORK TO PROVIDE THE BEST

President Özpoyraz continued as follows: “The University has accomplished great things in a short time. Today, it has come to a point where it is followed, recognized, and respected. Being one of the most important values ​​and brands of Izmir, our University has become the 4th most preferred foundation university in Turkey based on undergraduate programs. We are now a university that draws the attention of Turkey's most qualified, hardworking and knowledgeable young people, and builds trust for them. IUE Faculty of Medicine is a faculty that we attach great importance to and that is the apple of our eye. As Izmir University of Economics, we act with the awareness that we undertake a very important task, and we strive to provide the best opportunities for our students.”

WE WILL EXPERIENCE NEW ACHIEVEMENTS, NEW JOYS

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar stated that the faculty of medicine will continue on its way by following, assimilating, developing and applying innovations in science and technology. Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “We know that academics on our campus fought at the forefront by putting their own lives at risk during the pandemic, and that they have healed thousands of citizens. We are proud of them. The responsibilities of our colleagues, whom we have appointed at the ceremony, will take on even more responsibilities. But I am confident that each member of the Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine will perform their duties in the best way, even under the most difficult conditions, and will represent the University accordingly. We see all the work that needs to be done for our Faculty of Medicine as priority and act accordingly.”

CRITICAL THINKING AND CLINICAL REASONING

Prof. Dr. Hakan Abacıoğlu, Dean of IUE Faculty of Medicine, on the other hand, said that they are the first faculty in Turkey to provide critical thinking and clinical reasoning training. Expressing that they make a difference with their evidence-based medicine and research and education approaches, Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu said, “We are progressing to the point we planned and targeted, with the aim of bringing qualified scientists needed by Turkey to the medical world. As a faculty, we are approaching our vision step by step. We will be better, we will succeed together with our academics. This ceremony is also herald of that. I congratulate all our academics and wish them continued success.”