Next Generation: Graduation 2026

Next Generation: UMFST-UMCH Hamburg Celebrates the Graduation of 103 Medical Students from 12 Nations

Hamburg. Under the motto "Next Generation," UMFST-UMCH University Medicine Hamburg celebrated the graduation of 103 medical students from 12 nations. Held at the Grand Elysée Hotel Hamburg, the ceremony honored the successful completion of the English-language medical program and highlighted the university's international character and practice-oriented approach to medical education.

The ceremony was opened by Prof. Leonard Azamfirei, Rector of the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, and Hon.-Prof. Christopher Musmann, Campus Director of UMFST-UMCH Hamburg. In their keynote addresses, they emphasized the importance of international medical education, academic excellence, and professional responsibility. Additional speeches were delivered by Prof. Simona Mureșan, Vice-Rector of the University, and PD Dr. Dr. Dirk Jentschura, Medical Director of UMFST-UMCH Hamburg.

A special highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Gabriela Szabo, multiple Olympic and World Champion in athletics and researcher at the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș. Drawing on her own extraordinary career, she inspired the graduates to pursue their professional goals with resilience, discipline, and determination.

During the academic ceremony, Prof. Leonard Azamfirei, together with Prof. Simona Gurzu-Prundaru, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in English, officially conferred the academic degree of Bachelor of Medicine / Physician upon the Class of 2026. Following the conferral of degrees, the graduates took the Hippocratic Oath and were welcomed into the UMFST Alumni Society, marking the beginning of the next chapter in their professional careers.

The ceremony also recognized exceptional achievements. David Schmidbauer was named Top Graduate of the Class of 2026, achieving the highest academic performance with a final grade of 9.62 out of 10. The Award for Outstanding Extracurricular Commitment 2026 was presented to Paula Bredeck and Milos Morarevic in recognition of their long-standing dedication to the Student Council and their outstanding service to the student community. Ivan Bergo received the award for Outstanding Scientific Engagement for his remarkable extracurricular research achievements. With four scientific publications—including a first-author paper in the Q1 journal Life—numerous international conference presentations, and a research fellowship from the Junior Researcher Academy of the George Emil Palade University, he has established himself as one of the university's most promising young researchers.

The celebration concluded with the traditional cap toss, symbolizing the graduates' transition from medical students to physicians. With an international, English-language curriculum and early clinical training, the graduates are well prepared to begin successful medical careers in Germany and around the world.