When I reflect on my journey as the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), the story is not just one of academic growth and institutional progress; it is a story of transformation, challenge, and the profound sense of responsibility that comes with shaping the future of dental education in Malaysia. My journey, which began in April 2022, is deeply intertwined with the legacy of my predecessor, Prof. Dato Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan, the founding dean, and has been defined by moments of both triumph and hardship.
A Foundation Built on Mentorship
My association with the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM began long before I assumed the dean ship. After joining the Faculty in 2007, I went to pursue my Orthodontic training in Universiti Malaya. After two years of returning, in 2013, I was appointed as the Deputy Dean by none other than Prof. Dato Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan himself. His leadership style, marked by a steady hand and deep respect for academic integrity, left an indelible mark on me. As the founding dean, he was instrumental in establishing the faculty’s reputation, and it was under his guidance that I first learned the complexities of dental education, research, and leadership.
Under his mentorship, I grew not only as an academician but also as a leader. The foundations of leadership, resilience, and vision he instilled in me became the cornerstone of my approach when I was entrusted with the dean ship years later.
The Turning Point
In December 2016, my journey took an important turn. I left Malaysia for the United Kingdom to pursue and Orthodontic subspecialty training in Cleft Lip and Palate and Orthognathic Surgery, first in the hospital in Chester and Manchester. The exposure to world-class practices, advanced techniques, and a diverse international community broadened my horizons and significantly enhanced my clinical and academic expertise. At the same time, I had to juggle doing my Postgraduate Diploma and Master in Medical Education from Wales, United Kingdom. This training also reinforced the importance of innovation and adaptability in the ever-evolving field of dentistry. It was a crucial period that helped me refine my clinical acumen and fostered a global perspective both of which would prove invaluable when I returned to lead the faculty again as the deputy dean of academic in 2018.
Growth and Evolution of the Faculty
As a deputy dean of academic, the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM had already seen remarkable progress under Prof. Dato Mohamed Ibrahim’s leadership. However, it was clear to me that there was still much to be done. The faculty had started with just three Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) programmes, and I knew that we had to grow and diversify in order to meet the ever growing demand for specialised dental professionals in Malaysia and beyond. My appointment was entrusted by the former first lady Vice Chancellor of UiTM, Professor Datuk Dr Roziah Janor. When I assumed the role of Dean in the 1st May of 2022, faculty of dentistry expanded our postgraduate of ferings significantly, increasing the number of DClinDent programmes from three to an impressive twelve full paying programmes. We introduced two new Masters by Coursework programmes, which offer students the opportunity to pursue one of the ten clinical specialties in a three-year specialty clinical doctorate programme. Alongside these, we continue to offer two postgraduate research degrees and two undergraduate programmes: the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and the Diploma of Dental Surgery Assistant. This growth was not just in numbers, but in quality. Our curriculum became more comprehensive, aligned with international standards, with curriculum embedded-international attachments and designed to equip our graduates with the skills to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex global dental landscape.
Internationalisation: Strengthening Global Ties
As one of the youngest faculties of dentistry in the Malaysian public university system, carrying the UiTM’s mission of being a globally renowned university, the importance of internationalisation could not be overstated. From the very beginning, I made it a priority to ensure that UiTM’s Faculty of Dentistry was visible and active on the global stage. Through aggressive internationalisation strategies, we established strong connections with some of the world’s leading dental schools and institutions. As the Dean, I had the privilege of representing UiTM in various countries, forging valuable relationships and collaborations. Among the countries I visited were Japan, China, India, Iraq, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Besides that, academicians from Faculty of Dentistry UiTM were encourage to make connections and attend international conferences, collaboration visits and become the visiting scholars and adjunct scholars abroad. In each of these visits, I had the opportunity to engage with leading academics and practitioners, who not only invited us to speak at their conferences but also asked us to collaborate on research and educational initiatives. Our faculty members were frequently invited as speakers, examiners, and collaborators with top universities worldwide, a testament to the strength and reputation of our faculty. Students too have had opportunities for international attachments, outbound and also faculty have been hosting many inbound students from partner schools. In 2023, I was honoured to be appointed President of the International Dental Collaborative for the Mekong River Region (IDCMR), a significant milestone in my career and for the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM. This leadership role allowed me to further promote the faculty’s international presence and engage with dental professionals across Southeast Asia. Under my leadership, the faculty was entrusted with a remarkable responsibility: to host the 17th IDCMR Conference in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The conference, which brought together dental professionals and academics from 11 countries across the continent, became a platform for sharing knowledge, research, and innovations in dental education and practice. The success of the 17th IDCMR Conference not only elevated UiTM’s reputation internationally but also demonstrated our capacity to lead and host large-scale international events. The conference was a testament to the collaborative spirit of our faculty and the importance of strengthening ties with neighbouring countries to advance dental science and education.
In addition to our regional efforts, UiTM Faculty of Dentistry continued to strengthen its international partnerships through our collaboration with the International College of Dentistry (ICD). For six consecutive years, UiTM has partnered with the ICD to organise the International Invention and Innovation in Dentistry Exhibition. This event has become a key international platform for showcasing cutting-edge dental technologies, research innovations, and creative solutions in dental care. The on going success of this exhibition highlights our faculty’s commitment to fostering a global exchange of ideas and innovations in dentistry, and it serves as a reflection of our standing as a leading institution in dental education and research.
Financial Pressures and Income Generation
The role of Dean also brought with it the pressure of managing the financial health of the faculty. With the cost of education rising and a large portion of undergraduate students being heavily subsidised, there was an increasing need for income generation to support our academic and research initiatives. I initiated various strategies to generate income, including strengthening our research collaborations with industry partners, offering Continuing Education Programmes (CPD), and enhancing our clinical services through dental outreach programmes.
While it was a challenge to balance the needs of the institution with the financial realities of the public sector, it was a challenge I embraced. If irmly believed that to provide the best possible education and training to our students, we needed to invest in world class facilities, faculty development, and cutting-edge research. I am really grateful for the strong supports given from industry partners such as Straumann Sdn Bhd, NDent, 3M (Solventum), Heleon (and many more) and local banks which make our initiatives materialise.
Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Key Focus
One of the key initiatives that I felt passionately about was intensifying our community service responsibilities both locally and globally. Prof. Dato Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan, the founding dean, often emphasized that the presence of the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM should be felt and appreciated by the broader community. Inspired by his vision, I focused on strengthening our community service initiatives, both through collaborations with government bodies and private industries, as well as through our direct engagement with local communities.
One of the standout initiatives that I spearheaded was the launch of the Kampung Angkat Programme, where we adopted several local and aborigine villages in Johor and Selangor to provide dental care and health education. This initiative was designed to create long-term, sustainable relationships with rural communities, while also offering valuable learning experiences for our students.
Additionally, in July 2022, we partnered with the Johor State Government to launch a significant community service project: the dental mobile bus, donated and funded by Yayasan Noah. This mobile dental unit enabled us to bring essential dental services to under served communities across Johor, particularly those in rural and hard to-reach areas. The mobile bus became a symbol of our commitment to making dental care more accessible to everyone, regardless of their geographical location.
At the same time, we expanded our reach with the opening of a satellite clinic in the Puncak Alam campus, known as Klinik Garnet, providing dental services not just to students, but also to the local community. This clinic further strengthened our commitment to community outreach, offering a broad range of dental services at affordable rates, while also serving as a teaching platform for our students.
Navigating Challenges: A New Era Post COVID
My tenure as Dean began in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when higher education institutions worldwide were grappling with the effects of disrupted learning and shifting paradigms. Returning to normalcy required not only operational adjustments but a shift in culture. The faculty had to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning, incorporating more digital elements and hybrid models of instruction.
This period also marked a significant transition in leadership. After 16 years of the founding dean’s leadership, I found myself in a position where I had to guide a faculty that was accustomed to his approach one that had been deeply entrenched over two decades. As a younger dean, navigating the generational gap and introducing new ideas while respecting the legacy of the past was a delicate balancing act. The challenge was real, but it was also an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives, new leadership styles, and a renewed vision for the future. I focused on fostering a culture of collaboration and openness, encouraging faculty members to embrace change while also honouring the traditions that had made the Faculty of Dentistry what it was.
A Vision for the Future
Throughout my tenure, my vision for the Faculty of Dentistry UiTM remained clear: to establish the faculty as a globally recognised institution known for its high-quality training and its exceptional graduates. We have made significant strides towards this vision, but I am fully aware that the journey does not end here. It is my sincere hope that my successor, Associate Professor Dr. Mas Suryalis, will continue to build on these foundations, carrying the name of UiTM Faculty of Dentistry to even greater heights.
As I look back on these two years and eight months, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and passionate team of educators, researchers, and clinicians alongside my dedicated deputies; Assoc Prof Dr Siti Mariam Ab Ghani (academics and international), Assoc Prof Dr Budi Aslinie Md Sabri and Assoc Prof Dr Eddy Hasrul Hassan (research and industrial, community linkages), Dr Mohd Faizal Hafez Hidayat and Dr Aiemeeza Rajali (clinical) and the newly appointed dean herself, Assoc Prof Dr Mas Suryalis Ahmad who were the deputy dean for student affairs. The challenges we faced were significant, but they were also the catalyst for our growth. However, did more than just test us, they brought us together. As a team, we cried, we stumbled, and we fell, but in each of these moments, there was an unspoken understanding: we were not alone. Together, we built resilience. Together, we lifted each other up. In those darkest hours, I knew that no matter what, we would be okay because we were in this together. The bond between the faculty members grew stronger with each challenge we faced, and it is this collective strength that I am most proud of.
The road ahead will undoubtedly bring new challenges, but I am confident that under the leadership of Dr. Mas Suryalis and with the continued support of our outstanding faculty, the Faculty of Dentistry will continue to shine as a leader in dental education and research for many years to come. The Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM is no longer just a young faculty it is a beacon of excellence, both locally and internationally.
This story is not just mine, it is the collective story of all those who have worked tirelessly to make the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM a respected name in the field of dental education and research. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Together, we have created something remarkable, and together, we will continue to shape the future.
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