The School of Pharmacy at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held this year’s White Coat Ceremony on Friday, October 4th, 2024. Organized by the JKUAT Pharmacy Students Association (JPSA), the ceremony officially welcomed 60 first-year pharmacy students into the holistic healthcare journey. During the event, the new students were inducted into the association through an oath.
The White Coat Ceremony and its accompanying oath symbolize a crucial step in the professional socialization of medical students. While not a formal professional requirement, the oath represents the process through which students are transformed into medical professionals. This transformation involves instilling the attitudes, behaviors, and values essential to the medical profession. The White Coat Ceremony, along with the oath-taking, serves as an anticipatory socialization process, occurring before and during the educational period.
In a keynote address, Dr. Michael Onyango, a pharmacist and regulatory affairs specialist, encouraged the students to focus on coursework while developing essential soft skills, as these are essential for success in the professional world. He further urged the students to lay a strong foundation during their first and second years, as the foundation would provide the necessary support to carry them through their fifth and final year.
Dr. Michael Onyango attributed much of his success in the pharmacy industry to his involvement with associations like JPSA. “Some of us owe it to the JPSA association because of where we are now,” he shared. Dr. Onyango explained that his first job came through volunteering in such associations, highlighting how they play a crucial role in helping students build capacity and gain practical experience beyond the classroom.
Dr. Alex Kigunda, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, advised students on the importance of networking and exploring their other talents alongside their studies. He encouraged them to strike a balance between academics and personal growth, emphasizing that it is possible to pursue different interests while excelling in their studies.
Dr. Kigunda also stressed the value of creating group discussions and building strong networks within the school community, urging students to support one another and be their “brothers’ and sisters’ keeper” throughout their academic journey.
Muthoni Mbugua, a first-year student said that receiving her white coat marked a significant milestone in her journey to the pharmacy profession, symbolizing both her entry into pharmacy school and the responsibilities she will shoulder in patient care. The ceremony, she added, was a proud and humbling experience, thanks to the dedication of seniors and alumni who shared valuable insights into the field.
“My love for Chemistry and fascination with how medications work led me to this dynamic profession where I can make a real impact on people’s lives,” said Ms Mbugua.
The alumni present at the ceremony emphasized the importance of creating connections and building strong networks during the course of pharmacy studies. They shared their personal experiences, highlighting how these relationships have been instrumental in their professional success. In addition to networking, the alumni encouraged students to believe in a higher power, advising that the demanding pharmacy coursework requires patience, dedication, and perseverance to succeed.
