To reform the ways in which aspirants of the discipline of medicine are taught and trained, requires an institution to ceaselessly excel in its approach towards the discipline. Located in Ajman, the Gulf Medical University (GMU) is one prominent example of such reformative institutes. It is the first private medical universities in UAE and the largest for its program offerings.
Gulf Medical College was established in 1998. The university is now offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Pharmacy. The institution is the only private academic health system in UAE offering healthcare, research and education. GMU has also earned the reputation of providing programs that had been introduced in the region for the first time. The university was first in the region to launch unique programs like Master in Healthcare Management & Economics, Bachelor in Healthcare Management & Economics, Joint Master in Health Profession Education and International Master degree in Public Health.
GMU focuses in the three core areas of Medical Education, Healthcare and Research. The university has infrastructure and facilities which are at par with international standards. Apart from the academic programs, GMU is at the forefront of Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Professional Development Programs. The university regularly organizes international and regional conferences and symposia.
The Gulf Medical University envisions being a leading international Academic Healthcare Institution through the implementation of quality health professions education, research, healthcare and social accountability for sustainable community development. Its mission is to pursue excellence through integration of health professions education, translational research, quality healthcare, innovation and social accountability enhanced by national, international partnerships and community engagement.
A Comprehensive Offering
The Gulf Medical University caters to providing comprehensive training to students of the contemporary medical discipline. The university’s syllabi cover the following
Undergraduate Programs:
– Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
– Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS)
– Associate Degree in Pre-Clinical Sciences (ADPCS)
– Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
– Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D)
– Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
– Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences (BSc. MLS)
– Bachelor of Science – Medical Imaging Sciences (BSc. MIS)
– Bachelor of Science – Anesthesia Technology (BSc. AT)
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses (RN-BSN)
– Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics (BSc. HME)
Postgraduate Programs:
– Master in Public Health (MPH)
– Joint Masters in Health Professions Education (JMHPE)
– Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontics (MDS)
– Master of Dental Surgery in Endodontics (MDS)
– Master in Clinical Pharmacy (MCP)
– Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
– Executive Master in Healthcare Management and Economics (EMHME)
Guiding the Seekers of Knowledge
The Gulf Medical University has been incessantly ascending zeniths of success under the prolific leadership of Prof. Hossam Hamdy. At GMU, Prof. Hamdy is the Chancellor and Professor of Surgery and Medical Education. He is an internationally known medical educator and active Pediatric Surgeon. As a scholar, professional, and leader in higher education in the Middle East and renowned internationally for the last 40 years, he has established several Medical Colleges in Egypt, Bahrain, UAE. He has served in different senior academic and administrative positions, such as Vice Chancellor at Medical & Health Science Colleges, Sharjah University and Director of the Institute of Leadership in Higher Education at Sharjah University; Dean at College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain and also a WHO Consultant in Medical Education.
Prof. Hamdy states, “At Gulf Medical University, our focus is always on shaping the future of healthcare. Being a leading medical university with its own growing network of world-class academic institutions, hospitals and a dynamic research division, we are constantly endeavoring to transform the University into a vibrant Academic Health System, linking the best of medical education, healthcare and research, manned by the finest professionals.”
Prof. Hamdy also adds that GMU is committed to leading a revolution in transforming the way Academic Health Systems function. The university envisages a host of opportunities waiting for us, yet understands that the challenges are huge. “We are confident that this ambitious journey fueled by spirited preparations and meaningful partnerships will propel us to our destination,” Prof. Hamdy expresses.
Advocating Innovation
As a leading private medical University in the Middle East, the Gulf Medical University has always been at the forefront of innovation in medical education and healthcare. The proof of which is the gold medal the university had bagged at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. The Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS) is the only one of its kind in the region’s private sector, linking healthcare, medical education and research.
GMU has advanced teaching, training and research technologies. The Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) of GMU was developed by the University in partnership with Lifelike, a Swiss Technology company. It is the most sophisticated simulator with the highest fidelity using artificial intelligence and problem-based learning in medical education.
Prof. Hamdy believes that with all these advances in technology and sciences and so long the patient, health professional, students and teachers are human, it’s all how they communicate, interact with and understand each other, which will change.
Celebrating the Alumni
Alumni of the Gulf Medical University got together at the Ajman Saray Hotel to celebrate their achievements at the ‘GMU Annual Global Alumni Summit’ on 27th November 2018. Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder and President, Board of Trustees GMU was the chief guest of the function presided by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU.
Thirteen outstanding achievers from among the alumni were honored by the university, in acknowledgement of their accomplishments. The awards were presented by Dr. Moideen. The alumni members also honored him with a special memento. A cake-cutting ceremony was also organized as part of the event, celebrating GMU’s successful completion of 20 years of excellence in medical education, healthcare and research.
In his address to the alumni, Prof. Hamdy said, “You are the role-models for our students and we at GMU are proud of what you have achieved in your careers. Your accomplishments inspire the students of GMU to dream big.” Further, he explained the university’s growth in recent times, with 6 colleges and 25 accredited programs currently under GMU.
Dr. Waleed, an alumnus working in the UK addressed the gathering on behalf of the alumni members and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for GMU’s role in aiding them in building a successful career in healthcare. “We are proud to be the alumni of GMU, and are happy to see the university growing,” he expressed.
Treading towards Progress
The Gulf Medical University’s students get their clinical exposure quite early in their studies (Year 1) unlike their counterparts. This attributes to the university having its own network of Teaching Hospitals. GMU also, employs its own graduates in Thumbay Hospitals which are all JCI Accredited. Students are also sent for their summer training abroad every year to partner hospitals and healthcare facilities in UK, US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India and Pakistan. GMU has an ongoing massive expansion plan in Serbia where there is an upcoming GMU Campus and Teaching Hospitals soon to be inaugurated. Also, GMU is soon to open a campus and a hospital in Egypt. Future projects are to open a GMU Campus in South Africa and Ghana along with a hospital.
Objective: Gulf Medical University aims at offering authentic educational opportunities for all categories of health professional students, grooming them to successfully pursue ceaseless professional development.
