Meet the New President of MedChir

Abstract

Freshers – Welcome to Glasgow, welcome to Medical School and a warm welcome to MedChir!

“Getting into medical school is the hardest part, after that it’s so chill” is unfortunately the biggest lie in history! It’s a challenging degree but it’ll empower you and give you the greatest appreciation for this career & your impact on others. It’ll be the best and worst moments of your life so far, where you’ll meet your best friends, your future partners, and the greater medical community that you’ll be a part of for the rest of your life.

There’s a famous reputation about medical students, that we work hard and party the hardest – that’s where MedChir comes in, to support every cram and every pint. Founded in 1802, we’re one of the oldest societies in Scotland – hosting esteemed educational events alongside equally esteemed – hopefully – social events on Thursdays, famously with free pints! (For my fellow beer haters, free pints of cider too don’t worry!). MedChir will fill your social calendar with our famous traditions and events where general Uni life can’t.

We’re starting the year strong with our Freshers' event – where we’ll host our elections for First Year Reps – which myself & Innes both were! Free pints, new friends, good times, and afters at HIVE! Later, we have the Freshers' Ceilidh! If you’re not Scottish, I assure you come and experience the culture, it’s a good time!

Medic Families, one of the biggest and busiest nights in the Union, is a must-do. We’ll sort you with parents and grandparents after you fill a wee form, and you’ll get some gentle-parenting - or not. You’ll get your bibs n' binkies and meet people in the years above who can become great mentors and friends!

Semester one concludes with our fast selling-out Annual MedChir Ball, as well as SNIMS (Scottish & Northern Irish Medical Students Sports Tournament), which is basically a B-Rate Goblet of Fire. Fifteen hundred medical students gather in a city – this year Dundee – for two night-outs and a sports tournament (my personal favourite event). You need to be on a medic sports team to join so get browsing at which medic sport society is for you!

A final note, please make the most of first year! In two or twenty years we want you to look back and have the fondest memories of good times and antics with friends where possible. And if the constant mention of parties is dissuading any of our fellow non-drinking freshers, I want to assure you we facilitate alcohol-free fun and disapprove of peer pressure or judgement at every event from Freshers to the Ball.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Welcome to Glasgow, Fàilte gu Glaschu and گلاسگو میں آگئے ہیں مبارک!

Rohaid Riaz

President of MedChir 2025-2026