Photos: Celebration of this year’s graduates from the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health
The Main Hall was packed with people, and the atmosphere was both joyous and ceremonial when graduates from the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health celebrated the end of their studies on Friday 1 July.
In keeping with tradition, the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health hosted a joint graduation ceremony for all its degree programmes in the impressive Main Hall of Aarhus University. After a couple of years with Covid restrictions, it was clear that the physical celebration was much needed and appreciated by graduates, families, and employees.
Head of Department Siri Beier Jensen oversaw the ceremony in a full hall. In her speech to the graduates, she commended them for completing their degree programme under difficult conditions and despite the many obstacles caused by the pandemic: "You must be a very special breed, and you have every reason to be proud of yourselves. Patients will be in good hands with you," she said, adding: "Health as well as dental and oral diseases are receiving great political attention, and politicians are aware that we need to educate more of you."
There were big smiles all around, proud parents and teary eyes when the graduates of 2022 stood up one by one and were congratulated with a roaring ovation.
Vice-dean for Education, Lise Wogensen Bach, gave this year's celebratory speech, which, among other things, addressed the end of student life and the beginning of working life. "You might wonder whether you're qualified enough, but you are – otherwise you wouldn't be here today," said Lise Wogensen Bach with a request to the graduates: "Keep your competences up-to-date through life-long learning."
This year the department has educated 59 dentists, 61 dental hygienists, 24 dental surgery assistants, 15 dental technicians and one graduate has completed the diploma degree programme in oral health. Not all graduates were able to participate in the celebration.
Mette Dahl Kristensen and Ida Wenøe performed several songs and created a wonderful atmosphere at the graduation ceremony.
The two newly graduated dentists Lorana Travancic and Kharen Madeleyn Simonsen opened this year's graduation speech with “Dear colleagues. We've got our driving licence. Now we must learn to drive,” stressing that they were looking forward to getting ‘out into the real world as grown ups’, and that asking for help is not a weakness but a strength.
