Words are not enough to describe my feelings and emotions for my alma mater – Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal. It’s been a 16 year long association with this beautiful place, but still, I am in awe of it. I still remember the day when I came to Manipal from a small town and was a little anxious, due to obvious reasons. However, it was not long before I became one with the place and its natives.
So, what makes my institute special? Well, so many things, to be honest. Let me try and list down a few.
World class infrastructure
M.C.O.D.S Manipal boasts of infrastructure that is on par with any dental college in the world. Be it in the fields of implants, Laser Dentistry, Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, MCODS (Manipal College of Dental Sciences) has the best infrastructure. This helps the students studying here get a hands-ons approach when it comes to the best possible practices in dentistry, and this helps them to stand in good stead when they go out and practice dentistry.
Being an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon myself, the titanium plating system we used for the management of maxillofacial trauma cases is the best in the world and is used in only a few colleges in India.
Also, the preclinical exercises that undergraduates undergo in their first and second-year help train them to be prepared for the real challenges that await them in the future.
Well chalked out yearly schedule
A very common problem faced by students in other academic institutions is the uncertainty involved in the academic schedule, but that’s not the case in MCODS Manipal. Here, a well chalked out academic calendar is provided to the students at the beginning of the year and it is strictly followed. The dates of sessional & university exams, lecture schedules and holidays are all provided to the students well in advance. This clarity allows students to plan their academic as well as co-curricular activities in a proper fashion.
A healthy relationship between students and faculty
A very important role in the progress of a student is played by the faculty of the institute. In MCODS Manipal, there is a very good relationship between the students and the faculty. When there is a healthy relationship between students and faculty, it allows the students to feel free to approach the faculty and clear their doubts; also faculty members can guide them for publications which immensely help the students when they step out of the confines of the college.
Equal importance to Co-curricular activities
It’s a policy in our college to facilitate the holistic development of students. Co-curricular activities play a very important role in bringing out the hidden talent of the students. Our yearly extravaganza “HUES” takes place with much fanfare and the students are encouraged to take part in it actively. Not only students, but staff members also take part and show their talents. Also, the best performers of HUES take part in “UTSAV”, which happens to be the main event of the university, and showcase their talents on a bigger platform. As a result of the encouragement that is given to the co-curricular activities, MCODS Manipal was placed first in the year 2018 UTSAV competition. Furthermore, sports activities are also given importance and the students are encouraged to take part in the sports day held annually.
Ample opportunities for the faculty members to grow and improve
Faculty members of the institute are encouraged to take part in various faculty development programs and learn new skills related teaching and innovation. Ample guidance is given with regards to publications and patents so that faculty members are always upskilled.
All these points definitely ascertain that MCODS Manipal, is very special, and like me, all the alumni will vouch for the special place it occupies in their hearts. It is said that it is easier to take a person away from MCODS, Manipal but it is impossible to take away MCODS Manipal from a person. I think this is the reason that it is constantly ranked number one amongst all the dental colleges in India.
