Successful healthcare institutions prioritize on enhancing reasoning skills and mindset attributes throughout their organization. They comprehend that unreflective accumulation of experience does not lead to better thinking. Instead, progression in clinical reasoning requires a direct focus on the critical thinking processes used to interpret, analyze, infer, evaluate, and explain the ongoing processes. Instilling the same critical and reasoning thinking into the students is RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), which is dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence and committed to preparing graduates with critical skills to join the medical and healthcare fields in the 21st century.
The University was set up in the year 2006 with the vision to be the leading Medical and Health Sciences and University in the UAE. It is the first established University under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKMHSU has evolved extremely well from a modest start, with 1300 plus teachers from 48 different nationalities. RAKMHSU is also proud to have 109 teaching faculty, 113 adjunct faculty, and 96 non-teaching staff from 26 different nations.
The Knowledge Review team discovered that the University has become a role model of cooperation and collaboration between learners and teachers of various nationalities and cultural backgrounds continuing their corresponding career lives with dedication. Its faculty’s significant input has assisted RAKMHSU to improve the traditional educational norms. The University is proud to support a Student-Teacher Ratio at 7:1, which is more than an ideal situation.
The university provides system-wise, integrated and updated curriculum as well as training in clinical skills from the first year of study. The latest teaching methodologies such as team-based learning and case-based learning is used to facilitate learning in small groups. Clinical training and internship are offered in government hospitals at Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah which are having more than 800 patient beds.
In terms of placement and career opportunities, the University is proud that it’s nursing and pharmacy graduates receive placements soon after graduation in various clinics and sectors. Additionally, it is proud for of the learners many of whom after graduation have qualified for USMLE, PLAB and proceeded to many countries worldwide to pursue higher studies and practice. Even within the country, many have qualified in the in Abu Dhabi’s Health Care and Health Authority (HAAD) exams.
About the Robust Curriculum
The University encompasses of four constituent colleges to impart quality education. These are RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK College of Dental Sciences,RAK College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and RAKCollege of Nursing.
Under this constitute, the University offers;
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)
- S. Clinical Pharmacy
- S. Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- S. Pharmaceutics
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN-BSN Bridge Program (for working nurses holding Diploma to upgrade to BSN)
- MSN( specialities- Adult Health, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Pediatric & Community-Health)
RAKMHSU is also proud to be the first in the UAE to launch the two-year Masters program in Nursing. Now, in addition to the MS in Adult Health Nursing (MSN), MS in Clinical Pharmacy, it also offers MS in Pediatric Nursing, MS in Community Health Nursing, MS in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, MS in Pharmaceuticals and Pharm. D, post-accreditation programs.
All these programs are accredited by Ministry of Education, UAE and the degrees are accepted worldwide. Additionally, RAK College of Medical Sciences (RAK COMS) is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and RAK College of Dental Sciences is listed in WHO directory of Health.
Accompanying this robust curriculum is the University’s all-round campus. It is well-equipped with library and lecture halls and its multipurpose laboratories help in practicing clinical skills. There is a separate English Language Centre for facilitating IELTS tests. The student to teacher ratio of 7:1 ease in personalized teaching. A new academic block for Pharmacy and Nursing programs and a new large sports complex housing gyms and indoor sports facilities add more to the existing facilities. Hostel and student visa are also provided for the students who require the same..
Beyond the Curriculum
In addition to the academic achievements, the students at RAKMHSU excel in several co-curricular and extracurricular activities including the sports activities within and outside, bringing laurels to the University. The Student Affairs Office manages and maintains an elevated standard of student participation. In relation to celebrating UAE National Day, RAKMHSU Cultural Day and Student Scientific Conference are some of the features of each year’s university activities. Noting the elevated amount of student involvement in both Oral and Poster Presentations at the Conference is very gratifying for the University. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health also sponsors suitable UAE nationals for the Nursing Program for both undergraduate and masters.
Built for the Students
The University is all about helping the students in attaining quality education. Therefore, when it comes to exams and reviews, the University’s Examination Office enhances the examination and review methods. In every class, several MCQ libraries are procured to assist the professors to come out with better quality questions. Moreover, several examination procedures have been simplified. In relation to their standardized application across all schools, the Vetting Committees for both MCQs and PBLs are having a considerable effort to enhance the quality of both.
The Examination Office conducts very systematically exams across four constituent colleges for more than 130 classes each semester. The meticulous hard work of the students results in an overall pass percentage of over 95% with more than 26% obtaining excellent or outstanding grades. Starting from the year 2010, the University has instituted a system of academic honors for students with excellent academic achievements.
Clinical Experience and Exposure
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RAKMHSU and the Ministry of Health (MOH), provides pupils with the access to clinical expertise at both Sheik Saqr and Obaidulla Hospitals in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah Hospital.
