Generations unite as FJDC marks 35 years of dental excellence
KARACHI: The Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) celebrated 35 years of academic excellence with its flagship alumni gathering, Legacy Night, held at the Pakistan Air Force Museum. The landmark event brought together more than 400 alumni, senior members of the medical and dental fraternity, and distinguished guests from across Pakistan, turning the evening into a rare reunion of generations shaped by one institution.
Among the notable attendees was Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Member of the Senate of Pakistan and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, underscoring the national relevance of dental education and its growing role in public health and policy discourse.
Founded in the early 1990s, FJDC has emerged as one of Pakistan’s pioneering private dental institutions, producing more than 2,000 graduates who now serve in clinical practice, academia, and healthcare leadership both nationally and internationally. Legacy Night symbolized this continuity by uniting alumni from the first graduating batch with the most recent class of 2025, reflecting the institution’s sustained contribution to Pakistan’s oral health workforce.
A special tribute was paid to Dr. S. Baqar Askary, Founder and Chairman of FJDC, for his decades-long role in advancing dental education and promoting a culture grounded in ethical practice, academic discipline, and service to society. Speakers described his vision as instrumental in shaping a model of private-sector dental education aligned with national healthcare needs.
The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony. The Alumni of the Year Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Yawar Ali Abidi, Head of the Department of Operative Dentistry and former Dean at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, in recognition of his academic leadership. The Distinguished Alumni Award was conferred upon Dr. Ali Farhan Razi, Vice Chairman of Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, acknowledging his professional contributions to healthcare and education. In addition, 22 alumni who have attained the rank of professor were honoured, reflecting FJDC’s long-standing role in nurturing academic leaders for Pakistan’s dental sector.
Several prominent alumni were also acknowledged for their presence, including Nadia Hussain, whose participation highlighted the diverse professional paths taken by FJDC graduates beyond conventional clinical roles.
The event was designed and hosted by Prof. Dr. Hussain Askary, Chief Executive Officer of FJDC and an alumnus of Batch Seven, along with his organizing team. According to the organizers, Legacy Night is the first in a year-long series of initiatives aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and reinforcing institutional continuity.
Guests took part in a formal meet-and-greet session that revived professional ties, followed by a cultural performance by the Nizami Brothers, adding a traditional artistic dimension to the celebration.
Legacy Night marks the beginning of a broader commemoration of FJDC’s 35-year journey—a journey defined not only by time, but by generations of graduates committed to advancing dental education and ethical healthcare in Pakistan and beyond. As the country faces rising oral health challenges and workforce demands, stakeholders noted that such milestones reinforce the strategic importance of strong dental institutions in shaping Pakistan’s healthcare future.
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