Dental college silver jubilee to be launched today

The celebrations started in September 2009 with a host of competitions and conferences. However, the formal inauguration of the celebrations will be held on February 6, 2010 in the college premises.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Dean (Academics) of Nitte University Dr U S Krishna Nayak informed that President of Dental Council of India Brig Dr Anil Kohli will be the chief guest at the function that is to commence at 6 pm on February 6. Dr Kohli will formally launch the silver jubilee celebrations as well as lay foundation stone to the silver jubilee building on the occasion.

Vice Chancellor of Nitte University Dr Shantharam Shetty will be the guest of honour on the occasion while Chancellor N Vinaya Hegde will preside.

Speaking during the press meet, Vinaya Hegde said that the A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences was the first institution under the Nitte Eduction Trust founded by Late Justice K S Hegde in 1985. It was named after a community leader Attavara Balakrishna Shetty. It was only the second stand-alone Dental college in the country. The Masters programme started in 1989 under Mangalore University.

Later when RGUHS was formed in 1997 the institute was affiliated to it and later to Nitte University in 2008. The institute now offers BDS course with an intake of 100 and MDS with 8 specialisation with an intake of 50. It also offers certificate course in Oral Implantology and Fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery. The Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Craniofacial Surgery is a part of the College. It now offers PhD programmes as well.

Dr Nayak informed that the institute is rated the 12th best dental college in the country. Various programmes are being organised for the silver jubilee year including all India level competitions, conferences and alumni meets. The silver jubilee celebrations will conclude on September 19, 2010, he added.