Professor Dr Nadia Munir honoured with Sanggar Sanjung Hall of Fame Award

LAHORE: Professor Dr Nadia Munir, Head of the Dental Materials Department at Lahore Medical and Dental College (LMDC) has been awarded the prestigious Sanggar Sanjung “Hall of Fame” accolade by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in recognition of her pioneering PhD research and longstanding contribution to dentistry and materials science.

In receiving this international honour, Dr Munir joins a select group of academics whose work has merited USM’s highest internal recognition for creativity, research excellence and staff contributions. The award is conferred annually to recognise exceptional academic, administrative and research achievements across various categories.

Her academic journey and impact:

• Dr Munir holds a BDS degree from Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry and went on to complete an M.Phil at the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS), where she was awarded a Gold Medal for her performance.
• She achieved her PhD in Dental Materials, becoming one of Pakistan’s first three foreign-qualified female PhD holders in this specialised field — a milestone in the national higher-education landscape.
• Over the past 17 years, Dr Munir has served in academia, recognised as a postgraduate examiner and supervisor at UHS, while holding key roles in editorial boards, peer-review committees and departmental leadership.

Why this award matters:

Earning the Sanggar Sanjung is a mark of institutional trust and authoritative recognition. For Dr Munir, this honour is both a personal accolade and a validation of Pakistan’s growing research capacity in dental‐materials science.

Implications for dental research and higher education in Pakistan:

• Dr Munir’s achievement signals an encouraging precedent for Pakistani women academics in STEM and dental materials research.
• Her recognition by an international peer institution underscores the global relevance of her work — reinforcing opportunities for collaboration and cross-border research in South Asia and beyond.
• At LMDC and UHS, her leadership can help raise standards of supervision, publishing and research output, aligning with global best practices and elevating institutional reputation.

Looking ahead:

In her new capacity as award-winner, Dr Munir is positioned to mentor emerging researchers, strengthen international linkages, and further elevate Pakistan’s voice in dental materials science. The global spotlight of this award may open doors for more international research grants, joint publications, and enhanced academic partnerships.