Under the auspices of the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, the awards ceremony of the 5th Research Forum kicked off on Monday, April 4, 2016. Held at UQU College of Dentistry, the ceremony was attended by Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Dr. Thamer al-Harbi, and the Dean of Dentistry, Dr. Muhammad Bayyari, as well as directors of Makkah-based dentistry centers.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Bayyari stressed that the Research Forum is a substantial event to which the college attaches great importance. According to Bayyari, the UQU College of Dentistry, by holding the forum for the fifth year in a row, makes clear that it is working hard, and taking major strides towards achieving the desired educational output. This output is envisaged to realize the sought-after developmental objectives, and keep at pace with the developments and changes taking place in all sciences and knowledge areas.

Underscoring the importance of scientific research for the prosperity of nations, Bayyari said, the college has placed particular emphasis on encouraging research as part of its main strategy. Moreover, it prompts students to engage in research activities since the very outset of their university life.

"By the grace of Allah, and thanks to the generous government support, as well as the close follow-up by the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmed al-Eissa, the college has managed to create an ideal, cost-effective research environment," Dr. Bayyari said.

He went on to say that this year's forum was an outstanding one, with over 40 papers carefully selected by the scientific committee out of 100 participations from all KSA dentistry colleges and centers, most notably the dentistry colleges at King Abdulaziz University and Jizan University, Bureidah Private Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, King Abdullah Medical City, Ibn Sina College for Health Sciences, Al-Faraby Dentistry College, and Batterjee Dentistry College, as well as students of the UQU College of Dentistry.

Noteworthy, Prof. Amal al-Deeb, from the UQU College of Dentistry, won the first place award for Best Poster, while Sara al-Akl, a sixth-year student, won the second place award. The third place award went to Dr. Kavita from Ibn Sina Health College, jointly with her student, Sumayyah Bakour.  As for the Best Published Paper Award, Dr. Alaa Mustafa Ateyyah won the first place. Prof. Hala Abul-Ela won the Best Research Oral Presentation Award.

For his part, the Dean of Dentistry extended his thanks and appreciation for the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, for his continuing support for research activities at all UQU colleges, and the College of Dentistry in particular.

He lauded the keen interest Dr. Assas shows in the results of research, and in providing guidance for researchers and innovators. Dr. Bayyari praised, also, the efforts of the organizing committees, under the supervision of the college's Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Dr. Ahmed bin Saleh al-Zahrani, and with the vigorous participation of the college's students.