The 4th International Medical Student Congress, organized by the Near East University Faculty of Medicine, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the Near East University Medical Students’ Association (NEUMSA), brought together 325 participants under the theme “The Path to the Peak of Health Care.” Alongside students from Near East University, participants from Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus International University, and Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University joined the three-day event, creating a shared academic platform for medical and health sciences students across Northern Cyprus.

Designed to support the scientific development of medical students, encourage academic productivity and foster interdisciplinary learning, the congress provided a student-centered environment where contemporary medical challenges could be explored from scientific, ethical and clinical perspectives. The event offered participants valuable opportunities to engage with internationally recognized experts, present their own research and strengthen their academic and professional competencies.

Opening the congress, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy emphasized that the future of healthcare is being shaped by artificial intelligence, genetics, robotics and personalized medicine, highlighting the importance of preparing future physicians to lead, rather than simply adapt to, this transformation. He also underlined Near East University’s integrated health ecosystem, where education, research, hospitals and technology work together to support innovation and clinical excellence.

In her opening remarks, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Gamze Mocan, described medical education as a process that extends beyond the acquisition of knowledge, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and lifelong learning. She noted that the congress was designed to expose students to current scientific developments while strengthening their ability to question, investigate and contribute to future advances in medicine.

Representing the student organizers, NEUMSA President Ömür Yuşa Gök highlighted the importance of bringing together future physicians with emerging scientific developments and innovative technologies. He noted that the congress aimed to broaden students’ professional perspectives by addressing topics such as artificial intelligence, medical ethics, drug development and exosome technologies, while creating opportunities for international scientific exchange and collaboration.

Exploring the Future of Medicine

Reflecting the congress theme, the scientific programme explored the rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare through a multidisciplinary perspective. Artificial intelligence emerged as a central theme, examined from clinical, educational, ethical and pharmaceutical viewpoints alongside other transformative developments shaping the future of medicine.

The programme combined opening lectures, invited speaker sessions, student oral presentations, debate sessions, hands-on workshops, award ceremonies and social activities, creating a comprehensive academic environment that balanced scientific inquiry with professional and personal development.

Among the invited speakers, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Çobanoğlu delivered the keynote lecture “The New Actor of Medicine: Artificial Intelligence – Ethical Boundaries and Human Responsibility,” exploring the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in clinical practice and the evolving responsibilities of physicians. Dr. Murat Dıramalı presented “The Legacy of Imhotep,” reflecting on the historical foundations of medicine, while Prof. Dr. Seda Vatansever introduced recent advances in exosome technologies for diagnosis, treatment and drug delivery.

The congress also featured a dedicated scientific session titled “Recent Developments in Drug Research,” where experts from academia and industry discussed the complete drug development pipeline—from early-stage drug discovery and molecular design to nanotechnology-supported targeted drug delivery systems and artificial intelligence-assisted pharmaceutical production.

Student-led research formed another cornerstone of the scientific programme. A total of 16 oral presentations, evaluated by five faculty jury members, covered topics including artificial intelligence-supported anatomy education, diabetic foot ulcer management, robotic prostatectomy and telesurgery, CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, stem cell-based therapies, disaster medicine, cancer screening awareness, immunology, medical education and global health challenges. Through these sessions, students gained valuable experience in preparing scientific studies, presenting their research before academic juries, receiving constructive feedback and strengthening their scientific communication skills.

Scientific Debate and Practical Learning

Complementing its scientific programme, the congress offered diverse activities designed to strengthen both critical thinking and practical competencies. Across five scientific sessions, bilingual debate sessions, student oral presentations and four hands-on workshops, participants explored current medical challenges through scientific discussion, ethical reflection and experiential learning.

Recognizing that medical practice requires not only scientific expertise but also ethical reasoning, the congress featured dedicated Turkish and English debate sessions examining the question “Is Euthanasia a Human Right?” Guided by an interdisciplinary jury, students evaluated one of healthcare’s most complex ethical issues from medical, legal and ethical perspectives. The debates strengthened participants’ ethical reasoning, evidence-based argumentation, scientific discussion skills and awareness of the social responsibilities that accompany medical practice.

The final day focused on experiential learning through four practical workshops covering Experimental Animal Manipulation, The World of Colors in Biochemical Analyses, Brain Tricks, and First Aid in Road Accidents. Hosted in laboratories, research facilities and the Near East University Hospital, these sessions enabled participants to develop practical competencies in laboratory diagnostics, experimental research, neuroscience, emergency medicine and clinical practice while reinforcing the integration of theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning.

During the closing ceremony, awards were presented to the most successful oral presentations and debate teams as part of the Dr. Zeka Mahirel Memorial Award Ceremony. The newly established Congress Abstract Achievement Award, intended to become a lasting tradition of the congress, recognized outstanding student research while encouraging active participation in scientific inquiry, scholarly discussion and academic excellence.

Supporting the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists

Throughout the congress, students presented their research, exchanged ideas with internationally recognized experts and established new academic connections. By integrating scientific presentations, interdisciplinary dialogue, ethical debate, practical training and academic recognition, the congress reinforced Near East University’s commitment to research-oriented medical education while fostering scientific productivity, ethical awareness and professional development among future physicians.

Bringing together students from different universities across Northern Cyprus, the congress strengthened academic interaction among future healthcare professionals and once again demonstrated the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to student-centered scientific activities. Through its comprehensive scientific programme, the congress contributed to developing future physicians equipped with scientific thinking, research culture, ethical responsibility and the practical competencies required to address the evolving challenges of modern healthcare.