My own journey toward establishing this institution began with a dream-one that first took root during my school days at Comilla Zilla School, where the noble profession of medical sciences deeply inspired me. Since then, I imagined creating a medical centre where true humanitarian care could be offered to the underprivileged. 

This vision grew stronger during my student years at Dhaka Dental College in the 1970s. At that time, the quality of dental education and services in our country was far behind that of the developed world. Witnessing this inadequacy inspired me to imagine a dental institution that would not only uphold academic excellence, but also serve as a place where people could receive dedicated, compassionate medical and dental care.

After graduating in 1980, while preparing for my postgraduate studies, the dream remained alive. I received an opportunity for higher education in Ghent University, Belgium, where I sought broader avenues to prepare myself for the future I envisioned. A turning point came when, through the support of my batch mate Dr. Hannan, I was introduced to Prof. Masaaki Kawamura. This meeting opened the door to study Maxillofacial Surgery pursuing a PhD in Hokkaido University, Japan under the Monbusho Scholarship.

The 1990s became one of the most memorable, challenging, and enlightening periods of my life as I completed my PhD in Japan. Even while studying and working hard, my mind was constantly drawn back to the long-cherished dream of establishing a dental institution. Conversations with my mentor. Prof, Kawamura, broadened my horizons and filled me with renewed hope. After many hours and days of discussion, we reached a consensus: we would form a team capable of turning this dream into reality. As planned, several promising dental surgeons from Bangladesh joined PhD programs in Hokkaido University, Japan to become part of this future team.

After completing my PhD and post-doctoral fellowship in 1992, 1 came back home and established a multidisciplinary dental clinic in Banani, Dhaka. Over time. Dr. Sikder, Dr. Mosharraf and Dr. Asad Uz Zaman Misha-members of the team first envisioned in Japan joined us. Also with my idea Dr. Hannan came back from USA to join this team.

Initially, Prof. Kawamura and I planned to establish the new dental institution in the government sector with support from JICA. He and his team visited Bangladesh several times for this purpose. Unfortunately, the initiative did not materialize. I then discussed and proposed Prof. Kawamura my vision to establish a private dental institution. He agreed and continued guiding me on the way forward.

We shared our dream with several philanthropic and visionary leaders, many of whom came forward to support our mission. Among them were the late Prof. Dr. S. A. Ashraf, known as father of General Surgery in Bangladesh; the late Mr. Nurul H. Khan, former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh & Chairman of NBR; Mr. ANM Yousuf, former Principal Secretary, Government of Bangladesh; Mr. Mohammad Asafuddowlah, former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh; Mr. Zakir Ahmed Khan,. former Finance Secretary & Chairman of NBR and Mr. Shafiqul Aziz Mukul an renowned Journalist.

Finally, in the year 2000-twenty-five years ago-we could establish our dream institution “Sapporo Dental College & Hospital”. We began with just nine students in the first batch has now grown into a proud family of more than 1500 students and alumni. Over these 25 years, we have faced many challenges, yet nothing could dampen the spirit of our Sapporo journey. The main goal of the institution is to produce compassionate and humanitarian professionals in the field of oral and dental health and to ensure oral health for all. Sapporo Dental College & Hospital has been established under a non-profit organization named “The Foundation for Health Education, Service and Research”. The non-profit nature of this organization reflects the true strength and spirit our dream institution.

We firmly believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental right of every human being, not an optional privilege.