Pioneer International University VC Dr. Gideon Maina, with Prof. Faith Okalebo help a First-Year student put on her white lab coat during the White Coat Ceremony.
In a profound ceremony marking the induction of students to healthcare professionals, First Year Pharmacy students were formally inducted into the pharmacy professional training during a White Coat Ceremony held on 11th September, 2026.
The ceremony saw the students being invested with their white coats, a ritual characterized by orientation by faculty members into their new life in training as healthcare professionals and advice on what is expected of them as students and later into the profession.
The Chief Guest Dr. Gideon Maina, the Vice Chancellor of Pioneer International University, delivered a stirring keynote address reminding students that the white coat is not merely an orientation but an investiture.
"This coat is not a reflection of what you know, but a reminder of a promise of what you will become," he stated, emphasizing that pharmacists serve as the last line of defense for patients. Highlighting the delicate balance of pharmacology, he noted, "The dose makes the poison; the difference lies in the knowledge, care, and character of the person holding it," further urging the students to take the course with the seriousness and discipline it deserves.
Addressing the technological shift, Dr. Maina remarked that while AI will not replace pharmacists, those who understand AI will replace those who do not. He urged students to be "learn-it-alls" rather than "know-it-alls," especially as medicine becomes increasingly personalized and the continent faces the epidemic of antimicrobial resistance. He challenged the cohort to strive to bridge the gap in local manufacturing, noting that Kenya currently only produces 30% of its pharmaceutical needs.
Guest speaker Dr. James Kimotho of KEMRI, echoed this call to excellence, urging students to exploit their potential rather than settling for mediocrity.
"These five years will determine the quality of your life," he cautioned, highlighting the discipline and dedication that the students need to put in their studies as they begin their training as Pharmacists.
The Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies, Prof Rose Kosgei reiterated this sentiment, urging students to enter this new phase with discipline and dedication. Prof. Kosgei also urged the students to take care of their mental wellbeing and to take advantage of the mental health support services available and to also look to the faculty for support.
The ceremony also featured a panel discussion which emphasized the importance of students taking advantage of every available opportunity provided to them to ensure they come out not only as trained Pharmacists, but also whole rounded individuals.
Speaking on the panel alumni Dr. Collins Kioko stated, "The road favors a traveler," encouraging students to seek opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive.
The students were also advised on how to use the new found freedom responsibly.
“When you transition from high school to the university the freedom can be blinding but that freedom comes with a price take your time to find a school -life balance,” student leader Sarah Aseka said.
Closing the ceremony, Dr. Maina left the students with a powerful final charge: "A white coat has a pocket for a reason. Let one hold your knowledge, the second your conscience, and the one over your heart your compassion, because that is the one your patients will reach for first."
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