KARACHI: As part of the Higher Education Commission Pakistan’s Pak-Sri Lanka Faculty Exchange Program, renowned dental educator Prof. Dr. Chantha Jayawardena from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, visited the School of Dental Care Professionals (SDCP) at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi. This collaborative visit marked a key milestone in promoting digital innovation and academic excellence in allied dental education.
Prof. Jayawardena engaged extensively with faculty, students, and staff of SDCP’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Technology programs. Her interactions fostered academic discussions focused on elevating professional standards, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of digital technologies in dental education—a key priority of DUHS.
Innovation showcase highlights student excellence
To commemorate the visit, SDCP hosted a highly engaging Innovation Showcase under the theme “Digital and Auxiliary Innovation – Revolutionising Oral Healthcare.” Student teams from both dental hygiene and technology programs presented interactive table clinics that demonstrated emerging practices and ideas in oral health digitization.
Each table clinic group comprised five students from mixed semesters, promoting collaborative learning across the two allied disciplines. The presentations not only showcased technical ingenuity but also reflected the institution’s commitment to lifelong learning and future-ready healthcare education.
Prof. Jayawardena’s expert insights and global perspective added tremendous value to the event. She actively reviewed student exhibits, offered constructive feedback, and shared examples of digital transformation in dentistry from Sri Lanka and beyond.
Recognizing innovation and mentorship
The event concluded with a cash prize distribution ceremony celebrating excellence in innovation, technical execution, and presentation. In addition to Prof. Jayawardena, the judging panel included:
- Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid Qureshi – Principal, Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry; President, Pakistan Dental Association (Karachi Chapter)
- Prof. Dr. Sidra Mohiuddin – Head of Community Dentistry, Ziauddin Medical University
- Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan – Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee; Head of Molecular Pathology, DUHS
Cash prizes were graciously approved by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Jahan ara Hasan, in support of student-driven innovation. Prof. Dr. Ambrina Qureshi, Principal of SDCP, led the award distribution alongside Ms. Sanam Soomro, Director of Quality Enhancement Cell, and Dr. M. Khawaja Hamaduddin, Vice Principal of SDCP.
The event reinforced DUHS’s strategic vision of aligning with global best practices, empowering future-ready dental professionals, and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals
This visit not only strengthened academic cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka but also reaffirmed DUHS's role as a regional leader in digital dental education.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW the official Dental News Pakistan WhatsApp Channel for real-time updates, expert insights, and exclusive stories that matter to every dental professional.