News

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) established an international partnership with UIC Barcelona/Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. By signing a strategic agreement with the Faculty of Dentistry in Spain, both Schools intend to strengthen international cooperation in dental education.

"This milestone marks the School’s first international partnership, making it especially significant. Our collaboration with UIC Barcelona reflects our commitment to global learning and academic exchange that enriches the entire SIU SDM community,” said Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS, Assistant Dean for Career Development. “For students, this initiative offers the chance to experience dentistry in a broader context, learning from diverse teaching approaches, observing varied clinical environments, and building connections that expand their perspectives and deepen their understanding of the profession.”

Under this agreement, SIU SDM and UIC Barcelona students will have the opportunity to attend classes, seminars and dental procedures, as well as take part in discussions and academic activities at the host institution. Through these placements, participants will expand their overall understanding of the current challenges in oral health, engage in intercultural learning and international cooperation, discover innovative teaching methodologies in dentistry and explore new avenues for professional development in an international academic context.

Lluís Giner, PhD in Medicine and Surgery and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, underscored the strategic relevance of this agreement for UIC Barcelona, highlighting that “this partnership with the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine strengthens our commitment to internationalisation and to offering our students enriching academic experiences. Thanks to this agreement we can continue to promote excellence in dental education and strengthen our ties with leading international institutions.”

Garcia added, “This partnership also opens doors for shared innovation and collaborative growth across both institutions. We are proud to take this important step and look forward to the opportunities it will inspire." 
 
PHOTO: Lluis Giner Tarrida, PhD in Medicine and Surgery and Dean of the School of Dentistry at UIC Barcelona, and President of the Conference of Deans and Academic Heads of Dental Schools in Spain, Elisa Sanagustin, PhD, Manager, School of Dentistry UIC and Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS, SIU SDM Assistant Dean for Career Development