Makerere University has deferred admission of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students following guidance from the Joint East African Medical and Dental Council.
In February, Makerere University was ordered to stop the admission of dental students over dentistry’s failure to meet minimum requirements for training of students. This followed the third joint inspection of medical and dental schools and teaching hospitals in Uganda.
The inspection which was rolled out in seven universities offering medical and dental courses executed by a team composed of the chairpersons, registrars and the chairpersons of the education committee of the EAC partner states medical and dental councils. The officials saw a number of gaps which need to be bridged for production of well qualified medical officers and dental surgeons.
“Makerere University shall not admit any new dental students for the academic year 2020/2021 until a re-inspection by the joint EAC partner states’ medical board and councils is carried out at the university’s cost and approval given.”
According to a statement released by the University’s academic registrar, Alfred Masikye Namoah, the University is making good progress to address the issues and meet the requirements by the Council for the next inspection expected in July 2020.
“In the meantime we recall the advert for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery and advise all applicants for Private Sponsorship for 2020/2021 Academic Year to adjust/amend their applications with other choices available.” Reads in part of the statement
Masikye said candidates admitted to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme on government sponsorship for 2020/2021 Academic year will be shifted to other choices that they applied for on their application forms and where they meet the cut-off points for Makerere University.
