ULW x USM

Established as the second university in the country in 1969, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. USM has 4 campuses with main campus in the island of Penang, Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal, Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan and USM-KLE Belgaum Campus in India. In 2008, USM became the first and only university in the country to be elected by the Malaysian government to participate in the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX), a fast-track programme that helps tertiary institutions achieve world-class status. Ever since, USM has established itself as a pioneering, transdisciplinary research-intensive university. But of course, USM is more than what meets the eye. Let’s take a look!

1. School of Dental Sciences was established in 1998 at USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Just adjacent to this dental school is Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) which is about 5 km from Kota Bharu (capital town).

2. Prof. Dr. Ab. Rani Samsudin was appointed as the first Dean on 1st November 1998. The school offered Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S), receiving the first intake of 40 students which was initiated in May 1999 and had successfully graduated in August 2004.

3. The DDS programme is a five-year course. Its curriculum is integrated, problem-based and community oriented where Phase 1 focuses on the basic foundation in Medical and Dental Sciences, Phase 2 focuses on preclinical practical whereas Phase 3 focuses on clinical practical. Not to mention, USM is the first dental school which offers 2 handed-dentistry for final year clinical practices!

4. To promote holistic development, dental students are to organize or participate extra curricular activities such as Dental Night, Interyear Games, Run for Cleft and Research Competition. USM has also been actively joining the National Dental Inter-Varsity Games and had proudly emerged as the champion for the third time last year!

5. Every year, a White Coat Ceremony will be held for the Year 3 students to mark their transition from the preclinical studies to the clinical health sciences. This is when they commemorate the sweet fruits of their success, and the best way to celebrate it is with lecturers and friends

6. Also, USM Mobile Dental Services began in October 2001 and is run by a team of dental personnel. They provide excellent high technology dental services to the patients living in remote areas and make oral healthcare assessible for everyone!

‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world’. - Harriet Tubman