KNUST Inducts 350 Medical and Dental Students into Clinical Training at White Coat Ceremony
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has officially ushered over 350 medical and dental students into the clinical phase of their professional training through its second White Coat Ceremony.
Held at the School of Medical Sciences (SMS), the ceremony symbolized a major academic and professional milestone for students transitioning from preclinical studies to hands-on clinical practice. This year’s event was organised under the theme, “Professionalism among Medical and Dental Trainees in a Digital Age.”
The ceremony highlighted the growing importance of ethical behaviour and digital responsibility among future healthcare professionals.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Yaw Amo Wiafe, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, reminded students that professionalism is not limited to the classroom or hospital wards. He stressed that their behaviour on social media and digital platforms equally reflects their identity as healthcare professionals.
He noted that the values of patience, empathy, and sympathy are fundamental in medicine and must guide their conduct both online and offline.
The Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Akwasi Antwi Kusi, also encouraged the students to cultivate strong moral and academic discipline from the very beginning of their careers. He cautioned them against the careless use of digital platforms and advised them to always verify information before sharing it publicly.
To guide their journey, Professor Antwi Kusi introduced the “Five Hs” of medical excellence: honesty, humility, hard work, humanity, and honour. He urged students to wear their white coats with pride, humility, and a sense of duty to society.
Adding her voice, Professor (Mrs.) Gyikua Plange-Rhule, a senior lecturer and paediatrician at the College of Health Sciences, encouraged students to seek professional guidance whenever necessary. She further advised them to use modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, responsibly to support their learning.
She warned that irresponsible digital behaviour could affect their professional reputation in the future.
As part of the event, the Millennium Class of 2000 announced a GH¢204,000 donation to support the School’s Legacy Project an initiative to construct an ultra-modern multi-storey lecture theatre to enhance teaching and learning at the School.
The White Coat Ceremony remains a proud tradition at KNUST, celebrating not only academic progress but also the ethical and professional standards expected of tomorrow’s doctors and dentists.