An orientation program for year 1 BDS students was conducted on the 29th of August 2024 by the College of Dentistry (CoD), GMU. The event began with a warm reception for both students and their parents, followed by an inspiring welcome address from Prof. Hesham Marei, Dean, CoD, GMU. Students were briefed by Prof. Walid Elsayed, Associate Dean for Academics and Research, on the importance of interprofessional education and the varied aspects of academic continuum. Dr. Heba Abdelaal, Director of the Student Happiness Center, Mentorship, and Academic Advising Program, introduced the students to the various support systems, including the Student Happiness Center (SHC), the mentorship program, and peer tutoring. Following this, Dr. Pooja Adtani, Year 1 Coordinator, outlined the GMU rules and regulations, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their academic experience.
The orientation continued with Mr. Daies Idiculla, Librarian, who guided the students on how to access clinical resources like ClinicalKey, along with e-books and e-journals via platforms such as Lecturio. Additionally, Mr. Suraj Sebastian, E-learning and IT Manager, provided an overview of the university’s e-learning tools, including Moodle and Folio 360.
The event was facilitated by Dr. Jovita D’souza, Lecturer and Specialist in Periodontics, and concluded with an invitation for the students to tour the university and hospital facilities, offering them a glimpse into their new academic environment.