Hacettepe University Center for Genomics and Rare Diseases (HUGEN) organized the 'Students Meet Rare Symposium' as part of the 2025 Rare Disease Day events.
The symposium organized by HUGEN together with the Hacettepe University Medical School Scientific Research Society (HÜTBAT), the Hacettepe University Voice Research in Medicine and Music Society (HÜTSAT), and the Hacettepe University Child on Track Society (HÜÇİT), was held on February 25, 2025, from 08:30 to 12:30 at the M Hall of the Culture Center in the Sıhhiye Campus. The event brought together future physicians with the themes of 'rarely seen, deeply felt: rare diseases' and 'living with rare diseases.'
The symposium began with opening speeches by HUGEN Director Prof. Dr. Fatih Özaltın and Hacettepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran, followed by a video screening titled 'Rare Patients Speak,' which aimed to amplify the voices of individuals living with rare diseases.
After the video screening, scientific sessions on 'An Overview of Rare Diseases' and 'Examples of Rare Diseases' were held, featuring faculty members from the university as speakers. In the 'Examples of Rare Diseases' session, a speaker living with a rare disease also shared his experiences.
The symposium concluded with the HÜTSAT 'Rare Concert,' featuring a performance by an artist living with a rare disease.
