Ajman University Launches 2 Masters in Pharmacy and Dentistry
In a press conference held on January 18 in Sheikh Zayed Center for Conferences and Exhibitions at Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST), Mr. Thamer Saeed Salman, AUST Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, announced that the university has recently received accreditation by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for its two new Master programs in Pharmacy and Dentistry.
AUST Vice President pointed out that the Master of Science in Pharmacy Sciences is unique in the UAE, and represents besides the Master of Science in Restorative Dentistry two valuable assets for the University and for the whole higher education sector in the UAE. Mr. Thamer added that the creation of these two programs is a concretization of the vision on which Ajman University has been based since 1988, the year of its inception.
Under the wise leadership of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and their Brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates; Ajman University acts an institution of expertise that strives to set up an environment of innovation, by connecting academic programs with scientific research and practice. The University also strives, through its programs, to serve the local and regional development plans, by means of providing the UAE and the GCC with competent manpower, capable of addressing the challenges of the future.
At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Thamer Salman said: "I would like to dedicate these two accomplishments to His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Ajman, Patron and Chairman of Ajman University's Board of Trustees, and to His Excellency Dr. Saeed Abdullah Salman, President of Ajman University." He also commended the efforts exerted by the faculty members of AUST Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, and urged them to continue their hard work and to come up with new and farsighted programs that can meet the region's future needs.
Prof. Omer Atef, Dean of AUST College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, affirmed that the new Master proposed by his college is unparalleled in the country and is one of a selected few in the whole GCC region. "It will provide UAE and GCC students, for the first time, with the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies in this field, and will consolidate the efforts invested in supporting AUST Medical Innovation Environment Commission and further developing the pharmacy profession in the UAE and the region," affirmed Prof. Atef. The M.Sc. in Pharmacy comprises 36 credits hours, spread over 3 full-time semesters or 5 part-time semesters. An addition of 6 credit hours is dedicated to the research thesis. The M.Sc. in Pharmacy Science is two-tracked; students may choose to specialize in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Technology. The teaching staff for the new program will include exiting faculty at Ajman and Fujairah campuses as well as visiting faculty from the United States, Canada and the UK.
On his part, Dr. Salem Abou Fanas, Dean of AUST College of Dentistry, introduced his 3-year Master Program of Restorative Dentistry. In the press conference, Dr. Abu Fanas said: "With this new program AUST joins a very exclusive group of higher education institutions which offer dental doctors and graduates the possibility to pursue their graduate studies in one of the most sought after specialties in the industry." Restorative dentistry refers to the restoration of natural teeth that have been damaged, decayed or lost. It is a rapidly growing dental specialty as more and more people are taking care of their dental health and the appearance of their denture.
The new program will add up to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program already offered by the college. This bachelor-equivalent program was the first of its kind to be proposed by a private higher education institution in the whole GCC region. The Master program is expected to attract graduates of AUST College of Dentistry and other similar colleges as well as dental practitioners in the UAE and neighboring countries.
Worth noting is that Ajman University is already receiving admission applications from candidates seeking to enroll in the newly proposed Masters of Dentistry and Pharmacy, to be launched in the Spring Semester of 2010-2011.
