Designed to educate a new generation of physicians, the JKU's medical degree program is Austria’s first medical degree program offered as part of a Bachelor's/Master's system. 27 students successfully completed their medical studies and celebrated their academic accomplishments during a graduation ceremony on April 10 at the JKU Ceremony Room. Twenty-six students in the Master’s degree program were conferred with the title of Doctor medicinae universae, with the majority being female (14 graduates) as opposed to their male counterparts (12 graduates). One graduate was conferred the academic title Doctor of Philosophy. Vice-Rector and Dean Elgin Drda, Prof. Bernd Lamprecht (Dean of Studies), and Prof. Andreas Gruber (Dean of Research) were in attendance.

Vice-Rector Elgin Drda remarked: "Graduation is a pivotal milestone for our med school graduates. They have embarked on a career path that not only requires a high level of human and social skills and professional expertise, but also an immense level of personal commitment. Given current demographic trends, the university is shouldering an important socio-political responsibility in educating highly qualified young physicians. I am very pleased that the JKU’s Faculty of Medicine is contributing significantly to the high quality of healthcare in Upper Austria by means of hands-on, real-world practices and educating 310 first-year students in a forwarding-thinking, future-oriented way. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our future physicians and I wish them every success in their professional careers. Vivat academia, vivant alumni."

Christine Haberlander, Deputy Governor for Health, added: "I would like to congratulate all of the graduates on completing their medical studies. We have come together to work towards a greater goal and making sure everyone in our state can live good, healthy lives today and into old age. I wish you all the best for your roles as medical professionals and contributing significantly to this endeavor."