Professor Yusuf Ismail Osman has for many years been central to the development of dental research and education in Africa through his leadership at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of the Western Cape, where he served as Dean for 10 years.
In addition to dental degrees, Professor Yusuf Ismail Osman also has an MBA. His research has largely focused on dental restoration materials concerning their strength and use of this.
He has supervised candidates for Ms Sci. degree as part of the WHO's "train the trainer" program aimed at dental teachers from various developing countries. He has been a member of several committees and commissions with significance for the development of dentistry in South Africa. He has also been CEO of the Oral Health Centers, Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape.
Professor Osman has been a very important supporter and facilitator of the Faculty of Dentistry's exchange program to South Africa. Under Osman's leadership, the collaboration with UiO, which started in 2006, has been greatly strengthened. Exchanges now take place on several levels – University of the Western Cape has sent both dental students, junior researchers and professors to Norway.
At our Faculty, UWC has for many years been the most popular exchange destination to travel to for our students. This is undoubtedly much owed to Osman's leadership. The collaborative relationship between UiO and UWC is important for both parties. In the opinion of the Faculty of Dentistry, Osman has to a large extent contributed with outstanding work for the benefit of odontological science through network building and political and administrative work.