The 26th National Medical Student Congress (MaSCo – Marmara Student Congress), traditionally organized by students of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, was held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Faculty of Medicine Conference Hall on the Health Campus. The congress, opened with a speech by Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur, was attended by Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli, as well as numerous academics and students.
Rector Okur’s Advice to Prospective Young Physicians
Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur stated that the MaSCo Congress, which has been organized for 26 years, has established a deeply rooted academic tradition, saying, “If something has continuity, it means it will continue. That gives us hope.” Emphasizing that the congress organized by students carries not only a scientific but also an educational aspect, Rector Okur said, “This is an organization entirely carried out by students. It has a formative characteristic.”
Drawing attention to the social responsibility dimension of the medical profession, Prof. Dr. Okur stated that medicine is a unique field that directly touches human life, noting that “The medical profession is inherently motivating in itself and is also a matter of being a role model.” Advising students to put conscience and ethical values at the center of their professional lives, Rector Okur said, "Machines may replace the mind, and artificial intelligence may replace intellect, but nothing can ever replace conscience."
In his speech, Rector Okur also underlined the importance of social awareness in healthcare services, emphasizing that the medical profession should not be evaluated solely in terms of material gain and drawing attention to the spiritual value of contributing to healing. He thanked the students, academics, and stakeholders who contributed to the organization of the congress and stated that the university administration would continue to support the further development of MaSCo.
Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli: “Nobel-Level Scientists Will Emerge Among You”
Stating that MaSCo is one of Türkiye’s first and continuously maintained student congresses, Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli emphasized that the congress has developed every year and made significant contributions to the sharing of scientific studies. Dean Ümit Süleyman Şehirli thanked the academics and students who contributed to the organization of the congress and emphasized that there is an immense amount of labor behind the event.
Referring to the long-established history of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Şehirli stated that the foundations of the faculty were laid during the Ottoman modernization period and that today education and research activities are maintained at the Health Campus with a modern infrastructure equipped with advanced facilities. Expressing his confidence in the students, Dean Şehirli noted that the scientific work of Marmara University students is closely followed throughout Turkey. Believing that internationally successful scientists of the future will be raised through this congress, Prof. Dr. Şehirli stated, “One day, scientists who will conduct Nobel-caliber work will emerge from among you. I truly believe this.”
A Scientific Sharing Platform for Young Researchers
In her speech, Sevgi İrem Vergili, General Chair of the 26th MaSCo, stated that the congress is an important organization bringing together future physicians under the light of science and reason, and expressed that they aim to carry MaSCo's 25-year-old deep-rooted heritage into the future. Emphasizing that the congress, prepared with great effort for over a year, is the product of teamwork, Vergili said they aimed for participants to have an unforgettable experience both scientifically and socially.
26th MaSCo Secretary General Betül Solak stated that MaSCo is a well-established student congress that has been sustained under the light of science for 26 years and that the organization serves as an important platform where young researchers can share their first scientific studies. Emphasizing that great effort was put into the preparation process of the congress, Solak mentioned that participants would have a highly productive experience with scientific sessions, workshops, and social events.
As part of the congress, sessions were organized on various topics including public health, metabolic diseases, medical education, and experimental research. Throughout the day, poster and oral presentations, as well as speeches by distinguished academics in their fields, were presented to participants.
