20000322

FJDC sets up

centre for

dental research

KARACHI: The Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) has set up a centre for dental research.

This was announced by the former Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, Prof. Dr. Manzooruddin Ahmed, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the FJDC, while addressing a news conference at a local hotel on Tuesday.

He said that the centre for dental research will be inaugurated by the provincial health minister, Prof. S. M. Rab, at a ceremony to be held on Wednesday.

Prof. Ahmed was of the view that education without research remains incomplete and this is all the more true about the professional education such as medical and engineering.

He said that in the advanced societies R&D is an integral part of education and training. In realisation of this the FJDC has taken the bold decision to set up a centre of dental research.

Prof. Ahmed said that the centre besides promoting research, will also provide information and knowledge to the people about different aspects of dentistry in eastern medicines.

A bi-annual journal of dentistry containing research articles will be published and awareness would be created among the people about the dental treatment and tooth extraction.

Prof. Ahmed said that a sum of 100,000 dollars has been raised for the construction of the FJDC in Korangi Creek which will complete in about seven months time. A request has been made to the Sheikh Zayed Educational Foundation for a donation of Rs. 25 million towards the building of the FJDC where a dental hospital would also be set up.

The present premises of the institution is located in the PECHS area.

Prof. Ahmed maintained that the FJDC will be the first dental college in the country having a research centre.

He said that efforts are being made for a linkage programme of FJDC with the Loma Lidna University of the United States located in California.

FJDC Vice-Principal Dr. Mahmood Siddiqui, said that the annual intake of FJDC is 50 students.

He said that there is no provision for postgraduate studies in dentistry in Pakistan nor any research is being carried out in this very field.ÑAPP