PESHAWAR: Governor Ghulam Ali awarded 170 degrees and 108 gold medals to graduates at the convocation of Khyber College of Dentistry for session 2019 to 2022.

He gave lifetime achievement awards to former faculty members Prof Mohammad Saleem, Prof Mohammad Nasir Shah and Prof Shuja Riaz Ansari at the convocation held on Saturday night.

Dr Abdul Hakeem clinched eight gold medals in session 2019, Dr Meena Mayan won 10 gold medals in session 2020 and Dr Momina Malik won nine gold medals in session 2021 while Dr Soha Yawar got five gold medals in session 2022, according to a press release.

The atmosphere in the convocation hall was depressed when the name of Palwasha, a student who died in September 2021due to some infectious disease, was mentioned and the gold medal was given to her parents.

Health Adviser Dr Riaz Anwar, Khyber Medical University Vice-chancellor Prof Ziaul Haq, KCD Dean Syed Nasir Shah and faculty members, students and their families participated in the event.

“I salute my faculty and entire staff of KCD for the achievements in a span of tree years. The infrastructure of clinical departments has been upgraded and the capacity of their academic and patient facilities has been increased. In addition, a new seven-storey building has been made fully functional,” said the KCD dean on the occasion.

Governor Ghulam Ali, in his address as chief guest, congratulated the students and their parents and said that KCD was a popular institution not only in the province but across the country. He said that new dimensions and technologies were being introduced in all fields, including medicine, around the world and oral health had been facilitated by modern technology in dental medical education.

Dr Riaz Anwar said that despite financial crisis, the government was ready to provide all kinds of support to KCD.

Prof Ziaul Haq asked the graduates to educate people about oral health protection and preventive measures.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023