Inaugural Most Valuable Faculty Awards recognize impactful teaching in the Dental College of Georgia

Dr. Fadi AL Farawati and Dr. Abu Nazmul Hossain, two assistant professors in the Department of Restorative Sciences in the Dental College of Georgia, were recently named the inaugural recipients of DCG’s Most Valuable Faculty Award for their teaching, mentorship and advocacy.

This new award is a student-led recognition whereby each class of dental students chooses the faculty member who has made a significant impact on the education and success of dental students over the past academic year. AL Farawati was nominated by the Class of 2023, and Nazmul Hossain was nominated by the classes of 2022 and 2024.

Classes will choose a professor each year for this honor. Each DCG class will nominate faculty who have challenged and encouraged them to learn, grow and progress as part of their continuing professional development.

In describing their reasons for selecting AL Farawati, the Class of 2023 noted his passion for teaching, his stewardship of the profession and his commitment to treating every student with dignity and respect.

The class wrote: “His teaching style fostered a love for dentistry that was energetic. He empowered his students to continuously challenge themselves, to take ownership of their learning by mastering their craft. Dr. AL Farawati is an instructor that truly cares about his students’ success while in dental school and in their future endeavors.”

The classes of 2022 and 2024 both selected Nazmul Hossain as the faculty member who has most contributed to their success over the last year, citing his compassion for students, his enthusiasm for teaching and his dedication to students’ mastery.

According to the Class of 2022: “We have been fortunate enough to have Dr. Hossain play a role in our dental education since we started as first year students… patiently helping us learn the basics of ideal preparations and the restorative techniques, guiding us as we navigated the new world of live patients, and encouraging us to be confident in our developing skills. He was always patient, kind, and respectful.”