“WHEN I WAS A STUDENT” WITH PROF. DR. NIKO BEKJAROVSKI: “THE DOCTOR SHOULD NOT ALLOW A SINGLE “STAIN” ON THE WHITE COAT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS SOMEONE’S PAIN AND SUFFERING

Niko Bekjarovski is a Specialist in Internal Medicine and holds a doctorate in Medical Sciences. He has been a member of the University Clinic for Toxicology for numerous years. Bekjarovski began his educational journey at the elementary school “Kocho Racin – Skopje,” located adjacent to the Clinical Campus. He attended the “Rade Jovchevski Korchagin” high school for his secondary education. Remarkably, throughout both his primary and secondary education, Bekjarovski achieved top marks, consistently earning certificates with only one top grade (5).

“During my student days, I was often number 5 in the student record journal, and on parents’ meetings, teachers would say: At number 5, all is five,” said Dr. Bekjarovski reflecting his memories from his school years and the ambitions he harbored as a student.

He decided to study at the Faculty of Medicine at the age of 5.

After finishing high school, he enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine in Skopje in 1981.

“We were the inaugural cohort of high school students obligated to enlist in the Yugoslav People’s Army following graduation,” recounted Dr. Bekjarovski, reflecting on his academic trajectory. “Consequently, I commenced my studies a year later, in the academic year of 1982/83, ultimately completing them in 1988 with an impressive average of 9.57.” Bekjarovski disclosed that his aspiration to pursue medicine had germinated as early as the age of 5 while attending kindergarten. “At that time, I was wearing glasses, and I became the target of friendly jests from my peers. In response, I vowed to become an eye doctor and alleviate the vision woes of children like me.” Despite momentarily considering journalism during high school, Bekjarovski’s initial passion for medicine ultimately triumphed.

He added that student days are an unforgettable part of everyone’s life, filled with socializing, learning, parties, trips, vacations, and mature loves, including his own.

“Undoubtedly, the month-long professional stints in Sicily and Poland stand out as unforgettable experiences for me,” revealed Bekjarovski, reflecting on his career. “During these placements, I fulfilled the obligatory summer internal medicine and surgery practice, enriching my medical expertise. Additionally, my involvement in student organizations holds a pivotal place in my journey. I had the honor of serving as president for one term, during which we successfully campaigned to abolish written tests in Pathophysiology and Anatomy – a notable achievement.’

Medical-themed night at the iconic discotheque “Ognishte”

As he says, student life represents a crossroads between unbridled youth and the poise necessary for life in the adult world.

“The memories of my student days remain remarkably vivid, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. Among the myriad of captivating moments, I’d like to share a particular event. Alongside two cherished colleagues and friends, Dr. John Naumovski (now residing in Pittsburgh, USA) and Dr. Dean Miloshevic (currently residing in Kotor, Montenegro), we orchestrated a monthly medical-themed night at the renowned discotheque “Ognishte”. These gatherings consistently drew large crowds, with demand for tickets soaring, especially as future doctors became the favored attendees among students from the Faculties of Electrical and Civil Engineering. As we prepared for the February event, we realized that a significant number of female students from the Faculty of Medicine would be unable to attend due to an upcoming session postponement. With two-thirds of the tickets already claimed by students from the Faculties of Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering, and Technology, we faced the prospect of the party lacking its usual vibrancy. In a bid to salvage the evening, we decided to allocate a third of the tickets to colleagues from the Faculties of Law, Economics, and Philology. Following the success of that night, subsequent parties saw attendance from students across UKIM,” recalls Dr. Niko fondly.

The most difficult course – pharmacology

Niko did not have any problems during his studies. He believes that the acquired habits from the strictest high school he studied in contributed to making it easier for him to adapt.

“During my study days, I had two rituals for preparing for exams and ensuring success. Firstly, I usually wore headphones and played relaxing instrumental music while studying. Secondly, the day before the exam, exactly at noon, I would close the books and say out loud: Well, professor, tomorrow Niko will come to prove to you how much he has learned. Additionally, on the night before the exam, I always made sure to take a walk until 11-12 PM, get a good night’s sleep, and then head to the exam venue in the morning. I have never once felt the bitterness of failure,” the doctor told us.

He pointed out pharmacology as the most difficult course because it required memorizing thousands of drug names without any logic.

“I could not single out a part of medicine that I have focused on. Of course, courses like pathology and pathophysiology from the pre-clinical curriculum, and internal medicine and surgery from the clinical phase, demanded a deeper focus as they serve as fundamental pillars. However, during one period of my studies, perhaps inspired by the unforgettable lectures of Professor Miodrag Micev, I was firmly determined to pursue a career in psychiatry,” the doctor emphasized.

Do not allow a single “stain” on the white coat

In addition to education, the university also had a significant social and societal role in his life.

“During my student days, I formed a circle of friends with whom I am still closely connected. It was within this social circle that I found love with my current wife. Together, we navigate the networks of the Clinical Campus and the Faculty of Medicine. My first piece of advice to all UKIM students is: Be persistent in pursuing your goal. Never surrender, even in the face of the most daunting obstacles, and take pride in studying at the most prestigious Macedonian university. To my colleagues from the Faculty of Medicine, in addition to the immense ambition each of you possesses to become a genuine doctor, it’s essential to have a generous heart capable of radiating boundless love to every patient. The moment you don the white coat for the first time, you must be prepared to uphold its pristine whiteness without a single blemish. For every “stain” on its surface represents someone’s pain and suffering,” emphasized Dr. Niko Bekjarovski.