City University Ajman wins AEEDC Student Competition 2025

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 19. January 2026

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DUBAI, UAE: The UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC) Student Competition has become a cornerstone of the scientific programme of the AEEDC Dubai, bringing together top dental students from universities across the region and beyond. In 2025, City University Ajman (CUA) achieved a milestone by securing first place for the first time. This result reflects months of intensive preparation, a strong sense of teamwork and a growing culture of academic excellence at the university’s College of Dentistry. 

The City University Ajman team celebrating their first-place win at the AEEDC Student Competition 2025.

The AEEDC Student Competition is designed as a team-based challenge that gives dental students in their final clinical years a unique opportunity to test their knowledge on an international stage. Universities participate with teams of five students, competing in questions spanning a wide range of subjects in oral and dental medicine, including infection control, four-handed dentistry, implantology and oral surgery. 

The competition aims to involve dental students in AEEDC Dubai’s scientific activities, create interaction between institutions, expand knowledge through active participation and foster an exciting, collaborative environment for the next generation of dentists. In 2025, the winning team from CUA comprised Raghad Ammar, Abdulhakim Alach, Nezar Ossaili, Farah Fahd and Toka Akil—a group that combined strong individual capabilities with a clear sense of shared purpose. 

Months of preparation behind a “historic and heartwarming” win

For the CUA team, the road to first place began long before they stepped on to the competition stage. “Achieving first place in the AEEDC Student Competition 2025 was a historic and heartwarming moment for all of us. We prepared intensely for months, reviewing all major dental subjects, solving past questions, organising group study sessions and dividing topics based on each member’s strengths. Throughout the journey, our faculty mentors encouraged us, guided our clinical thinking and helped us grow as a team,” said Ammar.

She continued: “This win means so much for City University Ajman because it marks our first AEEDC victory. It’s especially meaningful as we had previously achieved third place, which motivated us even more to aim higher this year. For us students, this achievement reflects our hard work, the strength of our programme and the value of true collaboration. It also positions CUA as a rising academic force in the region.” 

The student success has been celebrated across the university. “We are immensely proud of our students for winning the AEEDC Student Competition 2025. Their achievement reflects the dedication, discipline and academic excellence we strive to promote at the College of Dentistry,” said Prof. Ali Razooki, dean of the College of Dentistry. 

“The outstanding performance of our students at AEEDC fills us with tremendous pride. This achievement highlights the dynamic, excellence-centred environment that defines CUA and the College of Dentistry, where dedication leads to remarkable success,” added Dr Ahmed Tarek Abdellatif, site director of the dental internship programme. 

A charged atmosphere and a shared passion for dentistry

Beyond the competition itself, AEEDC offers students a vibrant international setting where academic rivalry goes hand in hand with collegiality. “The atmosphere at AEEDC was inspiring and full of energy. You could feel the excitement from students representing numerous universities. Even though it was competitive, there was a strong sense of respect and a good chance to connect with dental students across the region,” said Alach. 

This environment supports one of the core objectives of the AEEDC Student Competition: to create interaction among dental students from different institutions and foster cohesion within the wider dental community. “Teams supported one another, exchanged ideas and shared the same passion for dentistry. Being surrounded by so many motivated students created a sense of unity and reminded us that we are all part of the same professional community,” he continued. 

Transformative impact on confidence and career aspirations

For many participants, AEEDC is a first real experience of competing and networking in a global scientific arena—an experience that can influence both clinical thinking and professional goals. “AEEDC was truly transformative for us. It challenged us to think critically, make decisions quickly and trust our preparation,” explained Ossaili. 

“Competing on an international stage boosted our confidence academically and professionally. The experience strengthened our clinical reasoning, increased our exposure to advanced topics and inspired many of us to pursue specialties, research and further postgraduate training. It made our career goals clearer and our ambitions bigger,” he continued. 

Navigating challenging questions under pressure

The competition’s format demands both breadth and depth of knowledge. Questions range from fundamental principles to advanced topics, and teams must respond under time pressure. 

“Some of the more challenging areas included implantology, occlusion and certain material science concepts, which required deeper understanding and extra practise. The most rewarding areas were subjects like restorative dentistry and infection control, where our recent coursework felt very applicable,” said Fahd. 

“Under pressure, we relied on strong teamwork, quickly discussing answers, trusting each other’s strengths and staying calm. That unity helped us get through the difficult moments confidently,” she continued. The student’s experience reflects another key aim of the competition: to foster future dentists’ curiosity and commitment to learning by encouraging active engagement with complex material. 

Building a stronger dental student community in the region

From a broader perspective, the AEEDC Student Competition contributes to strengthening the dental education landscape across the Middle East and beyond. “The AEEDC Student Competition plays a major role in shaping the dental student community in the region. It promotes academic excellence, scientific curiosity and cross-university collaboration,” said Akil. 

“Participating universities benefit from exposing their students to international standards and encouraging them to challenge themselves beyond the classroom. It’s important for universities to participate because AEEDC empowers students to grow, innovate and build connections that will support them throughout their future careers,” Akil explained. 

Looking ahead to AEEDC 2026

The next edition of the competition is on the horizon, and the CUA team has clear advice for its participants. “Our advice is to start preparing early, stay consistent and trust your team. Divide subjects, review regularly and practise answering questions under time pressure. Most importantly, enjoy the experience as it’s a unique opportunity for growth,” noted Ammar. 

“For AEEDC 2026, we’re excited to see new innovations, workshops and the dynamic atmosphere of students from around the world gathering in Dubai. And of course, we look forward to witnessing the next generation of teams take on the challenge,” she concluded. 

With its blend of rigorous scientific testing, international exposure and community-building, the AEEDC Student Competition continues to support and inspire future dentists. During the event, universities demonstrate how preparation, mentorship and teamwork can translate into success on one of the region’s most visible stages for dental students. 

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