On 2, 3 and 4 October, the campus hosted the leading international meeting of deans of the top dental schools and faculties in Latin America, in an event organised in collaboration with the University's Faculty of Dentistry. The meeting also brought together all the members of the Conference of Academic Heads and Deans of the Faculties of Dentistry of Spain (CRADO).
Over the course of the three days, the heads of university centres in Latin America and Spain had the opportunity to share their experiences and debate with their counterparts on aspects such as the current training of future dentists, the importance of the care and social commitment of professionals, as well as ethics and teaching innovation. In addition, participants were able to attend various lectures, workshops and round tables given by experts in different areas of dentistry.
Dr Lluís Giner, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, president of CRADO and member of the Board of Directors of FIEFO, was in charge of opening the 9th General Assembly accompanied by Dr Roland Peniche, president of FIEFO; Dr M. Jesús Mora, secretary of CRADO; Dr Lorna Flamer-Caldera, representing the Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM); Dr Cristina Manzanares, member of the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE); Dr Rosa Chaviano, member of the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA); and Laura Susana Acosta Torres, president of the Mexican Federation of Faculties and Schools of Dentistry (FMFEO).
The first day hosted the round table “Comprehensive training of the student of dentistry, interprofessional education”, moderated by Dr Josep M. Ustrell of the University of Barcelona. Deans from different universities in Latin America and from the University of Seville took part in the event to reflect on aspects such as leadership, the humanistic and comprehensive training of future professionals, awareness of the need to care for the most vulnerable, as well as the challenges posed by the ongoing evolution of society and the role of the social media.
The second part of the day was spent presenting various academic papers related to current issues in the sector, such as university extension and teaching values, the industry's current view of university education and the changes in European regulations that affect dental studies. Subsequently, the participants held several workshops to discuss and share views on the topics discussed. The first day ended with a gala dinner attended by Miguel Ángel Cazcarra, president of the Board of Trustees of UIC Barcelona; the vice-president of the Government of Spain, M. Jesús Montero; Nuria Fernández and Carme Ardid, councillors of the City of Sant Cugat del Vallès; Carlos Prieto, delegate of the Catalan government, as well as academic and civil authorities and representatives of different national and international institutions.
The 9th Annual FIEFO General Assembly will end Friday with different cultural activities and the election of the new president of the International Federation of Dental Schools and Faculties.
As Dr Giner explains, ‘’For us, hosting this edition of the FIEFO General Assembly, which is also being held for the first time in Spain, is a special honour and a great opportunity to share the values and teaching innovations that the different dental faculties around the world are transferring to their students. This meeting point allows us to reflect on and define joint strategic lines to tackle the present and future challenges faced by our profession in a coordinated way and adapted to the needs of each country.”
Within the framework of FIEFO's 9th Annual General Assembly, the Universities Forum, Latin American edition by Curaprox, was held on Wednesday 2 October. Organised by one of the leading companies in the sector, the event took place at the Sant Cugat campus and included several presentations and a workshop given by lecturers from the Faculty of Dentistry, namely Dr José Nart, professor and head of Periodontics, and Dr Carlos Muñiz, head of Preventive, Community and Public Health Dentistry and were accompanied by researchers from the University of Lyon, the Complutense University of Madrid and the UNAM.
In the afternoon, prior to the start of the assembly, at the Bodega Modernista in Sant Cugat, there was a presentation of the book Programas de odontología social. FIEFO, written by several members of FIEFO, including Dr Lluís Giner. The event was moderated by the dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of UIC Barcelona and was attended by Carme Ardid, councillor for Education, Universities, Multiculturalism and Animal Welfare of the City Council of Sant Cugat del Vallès; as well as members of FIEFO and CRADO including Dr Rolando Peniche, director of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Anáhuac Mayab University in Mérida (Mexico); Dr Antonio Castaño, director of the Master’s Degree in Family and Community Dentistry from the University of Seville; Dr Arnaldo Ferreira, vice-rector of the National University of Concepción (Paraguay); Dr José Luis Gutiérrez, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Seville.
The different activities and round tables held over the two days were supported by leading companies in the dental sector such as Bien Air, Dentsply Sirona, IPD, Curaprox along with the collaboration of Cibermundo.
