KUHeS Begins Construction of Dental School and Student Innovation Hub

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) officially commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art Dental School and Student Innovation Hub, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of dental education and health services in Malawi.

The site handover ceremony was a moment of celebration and reflection, especially as it coincided with the graduation of the first cohort of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students trained in Malawi.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the University Librarian Dr Diston Chiweza said the facility will help improve and advance health care in Malawi.

“This start of the art facility will provide a collaborative learning environment fostering innovation creativity academic excellence in health care education. The dental school will offer cutting edge training for our students while the innovation will serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, research and community outreach,” he said.

The project is a collaborative effort led by the Maldent Scotland initiative, which has partnered with local stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of this vital facility.

Maldent Project Coordinator Dr Peter Chimimba expressed gratitude for the journey that began back in September 2017 when discussions first arose about starting the BDS degree.

“The new building is essential to the future of the BDS degree programme. As BDS student numbers are increasing, the capacity afforded by the new building is critical to the logistics of delivering the course. Without the building the BDS course will be unable to continue,” he said.

Importantly, the World Bank through the Skills for A Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project has stepped in to fund the construction of the facility.

Eventually, the new facility is envisioned as a Malawian center of excellence in oral health sciences at KUHeS. The project is set to benefit from the continued support of the Scottish Government, which has allocated funds for the purchase of dental units and preclinical training simulators.