Contrary to everyone's wishes, the Aula Magna did not fill up as in previous years, when the FMUL community gathers to witness the passing of testimony of the new Board of the Students’ Association of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (AEFML).

Thus, with a reduced audience given the epidemiological situation we are experiencing, speeches were reserved for the main protagonists of an event that was broadcast online and attended by all those who are part of the new AEFML via Zoom, which (in an atypical but necessary way to ensure the safety of all) took the solemn oath.

Our Director, Professor Fausto J. Pinto, made the honours of the house with the inaugural speech of the Taking Office Ceremony of the AEFML Governing Bodies for the 2020/2021 term. Highlighting a “moment of great significance and symbolism”, he thanked the outgoing President, José Rodrigues, for his commitment and dedication, especially in a “difficult period” of the pandemic, emphasising the “complicity” of the AEFML, which “has been one of the pillars of our institution”, with the FMUL Board and Management Bodies.

For better and for worse, "we are all in the same boat", reiterated Professor Fausto J. Pinto when welcoming the new President, renewing the commitment to continue, in partnership with a centennial Association, to create the best conditions for the training of the 21st century modern doctors, raising the flag of a “strong institution”, which prides itself in having an equally strong academic association that has the strength and skills necessary to build a promising future.

In turn, the Vice-Rector of the University of Lisbon, Dr Luís Ferreira, praised the “exemplary” work carried out  by the AEFML, mainly within the scope of Social Welfare, and the responsible and attentive way it has acted to date, wishing success to the new team that now takes control of the boat.

The Portuguese Medical Association was represented by Dr Nuno Gaibino, a FMUL graduate and currently our lecturer and mentor of Mentoring 2.0, with an academic background strongly linked to the AEFML. He praised the “maturity” of such young people in the performance of a role of great responsibility, through actions that represent everything that is expected in a Doctor. He also highlighted the strong team spirit, intrinsic to those who “wear the Faculty shirt” and always try to “do more and better”. Recognizing the “difficult legacy” that the AEFML faces today, Dr Nuno Gaibino renewed his vows of unconditional support for the Association, wishing success and happiness in the future.

Mar Costa, President of the ANEM (National Association of Medical Students), also expressed total willingness to continue supporting the AEFML. She stated that whereas the work conducted to date is the result of “commendable resilience and dedication”, the mission the new AEMFL Board is now embarking on is also worthy of praise, as they “sail only with the help of a small compass”, assuming the responsibility of keeping the boat afloat in the midst of great turbulence.

Sofia Escária, President of the Academic Federation of Lisbon, highlighted the irreverence and persistence with which the former Board endeavoured to create a more inclusive higher education. She expressed “the pride and privilege” of collaborating with a “structure of reference at national level ”as our AEFML.

Towards the end of the ceremony, at the solemn moment of his farewell, José Rodrigues highlighted the “enriching experience” he lived over the past year, humbly recalling the countless times he made mistakes and also the times when he fulfilled the aims of an Association that he excellently represented. He did not forget the incredible 28 who shared challenges with him, namely the colleagues who accompanied him on this journey. He expressed his sincere gratitude, recognizing the dedication of all through a “friendship that will remain for life”. The outgoing President also thanked “the charismatic examples” of those who succeeded him, the employees of the AEFML, the Board of the FMUL, with which he always tried to be “a frank and loyal partner”, as well as the entire student and academic community, finishing by thanking the University of Lisbon, whose cooperation was essential throughout the term now coming to an end. And now that they “landed the plane”, as José Rodrigues metaphorized, new flights are awaiting them. However, they remain close and cooperating with the new AEFML Board, to which he launched the challenge of “continuing to invent the impossible”.

José Rodrigues has no doubt that those who embark on this adventure now “are prepared and are the best for this challenge”, betting all his chips on how the new AEFML will continue to respond “effectively” to an unprecedented situation for which there are no strategic guidelines.

The “shake-up” caused by the pandemic did not divert the AEFML from its mission, which from now on takes on a new leader.

António Velha then took the presidency of the AEFML. Despite not finding an Aula Magna “full to the brim” as he had always imagined, he is now the captain of a boat which, in its over 100 years of existence, has faced many tests that pushed it to the limit but “persevered” always “for its ideals and for the students”. He left the promise to continue to “defend students”, adapting and reinventing the association, strengthening “the legacy that has succeeded due to the vision and dedication” of all those who took part in it and will continue to be, in his words, “the expression of our humanity”.

(the elections for the new AEFML mandate took place on the 15th and 16th of October. There was a single list and a total of 228 students voted. The abstention rate was 90. 61%).

Sofia Tavares
Editorial Team