Bahria University Medical and Dental College and Altinbas University of Turkey have ensured educational and research collaborations with each other over the year. Earlier this year, a delegation from Altinbas University paid a visit to BUMDC and conducted educational activities for students and faculty members; and further encouraged future research collaboration between the two universities.
One of the possibilities discussed was research collaboration through Erasmus program, which aimed at cross-border cooperation between countries to aid the growth of international studies. Dr Shama Asghar, Head of Department Operative Dentistry, BUMDC, was selected by the Bahria University and Altinbas University to visit the university in Turkey and conduct educational sessions for their students related to pediatric dentistry.
On arrival at the main campus of Altinbas University, Istanbul, Dr Shama received a warm welcome from Miss Burca Atalay, the Erasmus Coordinator. She was briefed on the details of Erasmus program at Altinbas University in detail followed by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University.
Dr. Shama was then given a tour of the Dental Hospital of Altinbas at Bakarkioy by the host Dr Bugra, where she was introduced to the Dean of the hospital. She visited their hospital facility, libraries, phantom labs and prosthetic labs where students practice their clinical skills. The pediatric section was state of the art facility with equipped operation theatres, and a kids’ play area.
One objective of this visit was to learn about the integration and implementation of the dental curriculum, learning about their teaching system and methodology including their post graduate programs and finally to explore the possibility of future collaboration between Altinbas and BUMDC.
In the evening Dr Shama observed treatment of Dr Bugra Ozen’s appointed paediatric patients at the university OPD.
The next day Dr Shama conducted a Cased Based Learning Session with students doing MSc in Peadodontics on the topic of ‘Vital Pulp Therapy and Dental Caries’. The session was of 4 hours and was very well received by the students and faculty.
Later in the evening, Dr Shama visited their Animal center where a pilot study was being conducted on rats to test a few samples of herbal gels and their healing effect on mucosa. The facility was well equipped for scientific research and followed strict infection control protocols.
On the third day of her visit, Dr Shama delivered a lecture on ‘Vital Pulp Therapies’ to the third-year students of BDS, at Altinbas University. The lecture was comprehensively prepared to cover the topic for better understanding of the students, who appreciated Dr Shama at the end of the well-presented lecture.
Dr Shama also discussed the study curriculum of BDS program of BUMDC with Mr. Burga.
On her last day there, Dr Shama had a meeting with Prof. Dr Feride Severcan, Asst. Prof. Dr Ayca Dogan Mollaoglue, Dr Ceren Gedikoglu, and Mr Abrar, Oric manager of Bahria University.
Future Collaboration:
- It was agreed that both the universities will engage in non-funded cross-sectional researches.
- Every year the faculty of both the universities will deliver lectures to the students via video conference links to promote educational interaction.
- BUMDC also offered post graduate students of Altinbas to carry out their electives in Pakistan at BUMDC.
Dr Bugra Ozen presented Dr Shama with an appreciation certificate in a ceremony and appreciated her for her contribution to the university and welcomed her for future projects with Altinbas University.
In addition to the official visit, Dr Shama was also hosted by the Altinbas University on equisite Turkish lunches and site seeing in the beautiful Capital of Turkey, Istanbul.
