KARACHI- First Year Orientation and White Coat Ceremony for the third incoming BDS batch of Bahria University Medical and Dental College was held on Tuesday, 23rd December 2014 at the university auditorium. The event was attended by faculty members, senior naval officers, and new dental students who were accompanied by their parents.
As the ceremony commenced, a minute of silence was observed in honor of the victims of Peshawar attack, followed by the national anthem.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Nida Siddique, host of the ceremony, stated that the mission of Bahria University Medical & Dental College was to impart quality education, providing state-of-the-art educational programmes for health professionals at the under- graduate level.
Dr. Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi, Principal Dental Section and Head of the Department of Community Dentistry, warmly welcomed and congratulated the incoming batch of 2014-2018 on behalf of BUM&DC. She regarded dental care as a gaping hole in health care system, despite the growing number of dental colleges in Pakistan. She promised to work diligently with her team to train the students to achieve their academic and career goals.
Brig Retd. Professor Dr. Shaheen Moin – Principal of Bahria University and Dean Faculty of Health Sciences and Vice Admiral Retd. Tehseenullah Khan - Director General Bahria University Medical & Dental College, also graced the occasion with their presence and addressed the audience emphasizing the indispensable role of a dentist towards community health and the need for compassion, honesty and dedication throughout the journey towards becoming a successful dental professional.
Dr. Syed Ahmed Omer, Head of the Department of Science of Dental Materials, discussed the BDS curriculum, teaching methodologies and student evaluation protocol at BUM&DC.
As an entry into the dental profession, the students wore the symbolic white coats and recited the Oath to serve the nation as responsible doctors. Professor Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Head of the Department of Periodontology, took the Oath from the newly enrolled dental students.
The event closed off with the traditional signing-in ceremony and photo session of all the students, parents and dental faculty, marking an inspiring and optimistic beginning to the new academic year.
