SEGi University proudly welcomes Dato’ Prof Emeritus Dr Hashim Yaacob as the new Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. A renowned figure in the Malaysian dental education landscape, Dr Hashim’s journey from his early days at the University of Malaya (UM) to leading SEGi’s Faculty of Dentistry is a testament to his commitment to academic excellence and dental innovation.
Dr Hashim joined the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Malaya in 1975, just three years after its establishment. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in shaping UM’s dental faculty, rising through the ranks to become the Chair Professor of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, and eventually the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry in 1987 at the age of 37.
Under his leadership, UM’s Faculty of Dentistry underwent remarkable transformation, achieving international recognition. Through strategic collaborations, such as with The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Dr Hashim helped establish the Fellowship of Dental Surgery (FDSRCS) Examinations Centre at UM, the only one of its kind in Asia at the time. This collaboration, along with accreditation from the General Dental Council (GDC) of Great Britain, allowed UM dental graduates to practise in Great Britain without additional qualifying examinations—a milestone that raised the faculty’s global standing.
Not content with these achievements, Dr Hashim worked to develop specialist postgraduate programmes within Malaysia, reducing the country’s reliance on overseas qualifications. Under his leadership, postgraduate degrees such as the MClinDent, MComDent, MOrth, MDS, and research degrees such as the MDSc and PhD were introduced for the first time in Malaysia, further cementing UM’s reputation as a leader in dental education.
Now, as the Dean of SEGi University’s Faculty of Dentistry, Dr Hashim brings his wealth of experience and dedication to excellence to SEGi’s fast-growing dental programme. He is committed to elevating SEGi’s Faculty of Dentistry to world-class standards, driven by the same determination and vision that defined his time at UM.
“Our goal is to make the seemingly impossible, possible,” Dr Hashim said, expressing his confidence in the highly qualified staff and the innovative programmes at SEGi. “With hard and smart efforts, we will raise the stature of SEGi’s Faculty of Dentistry to the highest level.”
Dr Hashim’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for SEGi University’s Faculty of Dentistry, as the institution continues to build on its reputation for excellence in dental education, aligning with global standards and fostering the next generation of dental professionals.