They are something of pioneers: the first 40 medical students have arrived at the university. As soon as they are welcomed, the first courses begin - with practical elements and the patient taking centre stage.
Tuesday morning, in the modular building of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen, on the Wechloy campus: the 40 EMS students listen intently to the introductory words of the Dean of Studies, Prof Dr Djordje Lazovic. A patient lecture is on the programme, and a patient is also there. He has an ankle injury. Now it's the young medical students' turn to ask him questions in order to arrive at a diagnosis.
Strong practical relevance and the patient at the centre: The first day of teaching at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences shows that the organisers of the EMS really mean it with this programme. The atmosphere is good in the lecture hall after the students were officially welcomed yesterday in a ceremony - by University President Prof Dr Babette Simon, Prof Dr Eckhart Hahn, Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and other representatives of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen (EMS).
Around 1,200 young people applied for the 40 study places at the University of Oldenburg. Now the first generation of Oldenburg medical students has arrived. It is made up of 28 women - 70 per cent of the students - and twelve men. 16 students are between 18 and 20 years old, a further 20 students belong to the 21 to 30 age group. Four students are older than 31.
Most of them have a strong connection to the region: 21 students, just over half, come from Ammerland, Aurich, Bremen, Diepholz, Emden, Grafschaft Bentheim, Leer, Oldenburg, Vechta or Wilhelmshaven. A student from Canada travelled the greatest distance: There are around 7,800 kilometres between her home and place of study.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences was established in July as the sixth School at the University Medicine Oldenburg - the first establishment of a university medical school in Germany for more than 20 years. The university works closely with Oldenburg's three hospitals - the Clinical Centre, the Protestant Hospital and the Pius Hospital.
The patient lecture on this Tuesday morning right at the beginning shows just how closely: in addition to Dean of Studies Lazovic from Pius Hospital, his colleagues are also involved in organising the lecture: Dr Ulf Niemann from the Protestant Hospital and Dr Ingke Jürgensen from the clinic. Other topics on the agenda for Tuesday include anatomy and consultations. In the evening, there will be introductions to the Stud.IP platform and student council work. Last item on the programme: a pub evening. The first medical students from the University of Oldenburg are slowly arriving.
