DNA Learning Center Nigeria (DNALC) echoed with applause, pride, and the spirit of scientific discovery as students, faculty, and guests gathered for the Closing Ceremony of the GOUNI PREMED Certificate Program — a quarter-long academic journey that proved as rigorous as it was transformative.

The program, which spanned several weeks from March to May 2025, welcomed a cohort of bright young medical students into an immersive experience in molecular biology and genomics — a foundational field fast reshaping the future of healthcare, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

In her heartfelt address, Florence Mgbodile, Coordinator of Trainings and Workshops at DNALC Nigeria (read on her behalf by Pamela Ude, the center’s accountant), captured the essence of the moment:

“Today is not just a celebration of completion, but of growth, curiosity, and hard-earned achievement. From DNA extraction to PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis to DNA fingerprinting, you’ve engaged with tools that are redefining modern medicine and public health.”

Indeed, students were not only trained in scientific techniques but nurtured to think like scientists — cultivating inquiry, logical reasoning, and a solution-driven mindset. These qualities came to life in the GenoMed Project, the capstone presentation component of the program, where student groups tackled real-world health issues using genomic tools and scientific principles.

Among the most outstanding was Group 8, who emerged top with their presentation on Typhoid Fever, addressing challenges in diagnosis and proposing genomic-based solutions. Their work, alongside those of other teams, showcased just how far the students had come — from curious entrants to capable young scientists ready to take on tomorrow’s medical challenges.

Delivering a keynote address, Professor George Ude, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at DNALC Nigeria, offered both encouragement and a call to action:

“You are not just students who completed a course. You are future change makers. Use the knowledge you’ve gained to challenge problems, solve them, and change lives.”

He further emphasized DNALC Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to expanding the frontiers of science education in Nigeria and beyond, with a model deeply rooted in hands-on, experiential learning.

The success of the GOUNI PREMED Certificate Program reflects not just academic excellence, but the power of collaboration. Behind every pipetted sample, every sequenced DNA strand, and every confident presentation stood a community of mentors, facilitators, and behind-the-scenes staff whose dedication made it all possible.

As the ceremony concluded with applause, awards, and cheerful group photographs, one thing was clear: this was more than a closing, it was a beginning.

A beginning for students stepping into the world of science with confidence, curiosity, and purpose.

To the graduates of the GOUNI PREMED Certificate Program, the journey is only just beginning. Science is calling, and you are ready to answer.