Manipal 18^th February 2021.

Transition from school to college/university life is one of the most challenging events in a student’s life. When new students enter an institution, they come from diverse backgrounds into a new unfamiliar environment, and many of them have little knowledge of what to expect. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal organized an induction program to welcome the newly admitted students and prepare them for their new role. The Induction program spread over five days includes orientation to student support systems, hostel and library facilities, Student Life cycle management system,Bioethics workshop on respect for cadaver, Orientation to sports and cultural activities at the institution and university, Voluntary Service Organization activities and talk on substance abuse.

The inaugural ceremony of the induction program was held on 15^th February 2021 at Dr T M A Pai Auditorium. Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE was the Chief Guest and Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor, Mangalore campus was the Guest of Honor.

The program started with an invocation by Dr LaasyaShettigar. Dr Keerthilatha M Pai, Dean delivered the welcome address.  The chief guest Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh in his inaugural address,complimented the students for getting admission to the dental college ranked overall second among all the dental colleges in the country by NIRF  and thanked the parents for choosing Manipal for higher learning of their wards. He advised the students to make good use of the facilities that the university offers and urged them to be sincere and responsible. He wished the students all the best as they embark on their academic journey at Manipal and advised them to be compassionate human beings.

Dr Dilip Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor Mangalore campus in his address welcomed the newly admitted students to his almamater- MCODS,Manipal and said he is  proud to be  the alumnus of this great institution. He narrated few incidents to emphasize the good standards of the constituent units of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He advised the students to keep the flag of Manipal flying highbeing its brand ambassadors.

The students pledged to uphold the human values and to be sincere, diligent, dedicated and devoted during their student life. Dr Shruthi Acharya, Associate Professor, conducted the program and proposed the vote of thanks.

The Inaugural ceremony was followed by the orientation sessions. Dr Keerthilatha M Pai, Dean gave an overview of the institution. Dr Vidya Saraswathi, Associate Dean gave an outline of the BDS Program. Dr Shivasharan Shetty, Member of Dental Council India sensitized the freshers about ragging menace and advised them not to tolerate any kind of ragging and report the same. The teacher guardians were introduced to the students and parents and they had a fruitful interactive session.