First Aaron Gurmail Dental Society Student of the Year Award Presented

BDS4 student Zain Hameed was presented with the first ever Aaron Gurmail Dental Society Student of the Year award in a ceremony at Guy’s earlier this week. The event saw students and staff celebrate both the achievements of the winner of the award, and the life of the past student that the award is named for. 

The award attracted a very high number of entries but Zain Hameed’s application stood out as the clear winner. The 2015 National “Student Mentor of the Year” winner has organised numerous fundraising events over the last year. From March - September in 2015 as part of the KCL Pakistani Society he was involved in 8 outreach events, including funding the construction of a water pump in a Pakistani school, providing toys for orphaned children in Lahore Pakistan, and feeding the homeless at a shelter in central London.

“I strongly feel it is our responsibility, to together ensure others receive the same support and opportunities that we may do, to live happy full lives, just as many of us are blessed to be leading right now. I am incredibly grateful to the Dental Institute, the Dental Society and to all those who voted for this prestigious award,” said Zain.

The Award is named for dental student Aaron Gurmail who qualified from the Dental Institute in 2014. His tragic death a few months after he graduated left the Faculty in shock. Aaron was a valued member of the Dental Institute; he had a positive nature and contributed to the wider community through his work in the Dental Society. The award was set up by the Dental Society to honour the memory of Aaron, an individual who left his mark on the Faculty.

“It serves as a testament that we should all strive to be the best we can towards others, just as Aaron was, and that selflessness, compassion and kindness, are what contribute towards giving life a true meaning and a purpose,” concludes Zain.