At your service: 95 new Altamash dentists

A total of 95 graduating batches of the Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) were awarded Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees at a ceremony.
The convocation 2012 for graduating batches was held at the Grand Marquee Hall of Pearl Continental Hotel, where Pakistan Navy Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila was the chief guest.
Felicitating the graduating batches on being awarded degrees from the University of Karachi,
Sandila said that dental hygiene is an absolute must for any healthy modern society and the AIDM is providing an exemplary service.
The AIDM has established itself as a premier institution in dentistry in Pakistan within a short span of 10 years.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of dignitaries and guests besides students of the college and their parents.
Lauding the efforts of the dental college, the Chief of the Naval Staff appreciated the high education standards and the training imparted to students.
The AIDM runs in close collaboration with the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, ranked the top research facility in the world. The institute runs regular exchange programmes in the undergraduate and post-graduate disciplines of dental medicine.
Emphasising that the students develop a strong sense of dedication to serve humanity and take pride in their professional work, Sandila advised the graduating students to take advantage of scientific advancements and keep themselves abreast with the latest developments in their profession.
The chief guest also informed the audience of the changes taking place in the region and the need for all responsible members of the society to play their respective roles in adapting to the new situations dictated by ground realities.
In his presentation, AIDM Principal Prof Dr Mohammad Altamash highlighted the institute’s achievements in the past 10 years and stated that the college is on its way to being placed on the World Health Organisation’s list as one of the premier educational institutes of Pakistan.
Appreciating the college principal for maintaining the highest standard of education and facilities at the AIDM, Karolinska Institute Periodontology Professor Prof. Per Erik Engstroem said he was proud to have collaborated with the dental institute.
He advised the young dentists to believe in themselves and cultivate their professional interests into career goals.
AIDM Associate Academic Dean and Academy of Straight Wire And Functional Orthodontics USA President Prof Dr Bob Gollaher congratulated the graduating students for successfully completing their academic sessions and wished them well for the future.
He encouraged the students to enhance their talents in academics in pursuit of professional excellence.
He further said that the students should not only be good with their work but should be good at heart as well.
In his speech, University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser emphasised on the graduating dentists to step into their profession with the core value of service to the humanity with dedication. He also expressed complete satisfaction with the educational standards of the institute and the facilities extended to the students.
The college principal, meanwhile, presented mementos and souvenirs to the chief guest, University of Karachi vice chancellor and Medicine Faculty Dean at the end of the convocation. The ceremony was followed by dinner and an aesthetically arranged musical programme which enthralled the audience.