KUALA LUMPUR, 14 March 2006 - Looking sharp in their white laboratory coats, 51 graduating pharmacists from the third batch of the UCSI-USM Bachelor of Pharmacy programme took an oath of service on 14 March 2006.

They also signed certificates inscribed with the oath, indicating their commitment to the profession, in the presence of Associate Professor Dr. Abas Haji Hussin, who is the Dean of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Professor Dato’ Dr. Roslani Abdul Majid, in his capacity as Dean of UCSI Schools of Pharmacy, Medicine and Nursing.Also present at the simple ceremony was UCSI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kit Chin who represented the President and Vice Chancellor, and the Head of UCSI School of Pharmacy, Associate Professor Dr. S. W. Yeong.In her opening address, Associate Professor Dr. Yeong exhorted the students to stay true to the oath. She also encouraged them to frame the oath and hang it up on their office walls when they eventually practice as pharmacists. "This," she said, "will serve to remind you of the promise you made before your lecturers and fellow students today, lest you forget."

Chin, in his speech, likened the oath to a wedding ring. He said, "The oath that you will be taking this afternoon is a symbol of what you will become. Just like a wedding ring, it is a symbol of one’s marriage. Like the ring, the oath does not have any magical powers but it is by no means any less important.
"Thirdly, if a married person does not wear a ring, it does not make the person any less married. Similarly, if you do not take the oath, it does not make you any less a pharmacist. Having said that, however, if you choose not to take the oath, it begs the question ‘why?’ just like how people might wonder why a married person would not want to wear a wedding ring.

"Finally, a wedding ring gives its wearer a sense of pride of association with his or her spouse. This oath will, hopefully, give you a sense of pride of association with UCSI, USM, and ultimately the pharmacy profession."

Associate Professor Dr. Abas noted that the oath-taking ceremony was the first of its kind after having graduated two batches of students for the programme and was, therefore, a historic moment in the UCSI-USM relationship.

He reminded the students that they would soon be graduating and it would be then that the burden of responsibility for the community would shift from the lecturers to them. "Use your knowledge wisely. Money is important but you are bound by the ethics of the profession," he reminded the students. 

The oath is reproduced here for the sake of other pharmacy students:

OATH OF A PHARMACIST

I vow to devote my professional life to the service of all humankind through the profession of Pharmacy above other considerations.

I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering through optimal drug therapy and the best pharmaceutical care.

I will keep abreast of developments and the latest pharmaceutical care to assure the best care to the community and other healthcare providers.

I shall strive to perfect and enlarge my knowledge to contribute to the advancement of the pharmacy profession.

I will maintain the highest principles of moral, ethical and legal conduct.

May I prosper and live long in favor as I keep and hold to this oath and support the professional law.

I take these vows voluntarily with full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the people of Malaysia.

"Without prejudice to the rights of UCSI the information herein is correct at the time of printing and UCSI reserves the right to make amendments without prior notice."