KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) has achieved a historic milestone after being accredited as a Dental Education Centre by the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), the first such recognition awarded globally.
The accreditation was formally conferred at the Diplomate Ceremony in London on March 25, attended by senior representatives from both institutions.
UM, in a statement, said the award was presented by RCS England Faculty of Dental Surgery dean Dr Charlotte Eckhardt to UM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs) Prof Dr Zamri Radzi, who represented the UM vice-chancellor, and the dean of the UM Faculty of Dentistry, Prof Dr Firdaus Hariri.
UM described the recognition as a testament to its commitment to excellence in education, research and clinical training aligned with international benchmarks.
It also opens the door for deeper collaboration with RCS England in areas such as academic exchange, clinical training and research innovation.
“This accreditation confirms that UM’s dental speciality doctoral programmes meet the Faculty of Dental Surgery’s rigorous academic and clinical standards.
“It is the first accreditation of its kind to be awarded by FDS anywhere in the world,” read the statement, Bernama reported.
RCS England’s postgraduate programme accreditation is awarded to higher education institutions that demonstrate outstanding surgery-related educational provision, enabling collaboration to ensure high standards in surgical and dental education and training are consistently maintained.
The accreditation covers eight doctoral programmes, including orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontology and dental public health, among others, highlighting the university’s comprehensive and high-quality postgraduate offerings.
At the ceremony, Dr Eckhardt also conferred the fellowship in dental surgery on UM deputy dean (Postgraduate) Prof Wan Nurazreena Wan Hassan in recognition of her role in initiating the accreditation and leadership in postgraduate dental education, as well as Prof Siti Adibah Othman for her contributions to the faculty and academic development.
