Memorable graduation for medical students

Accompanied by their families, many of them who flew into the country to see their loved ones graduate, students ranged from 38 different nationalities.

Emotions ran high during the convocation ceremony of the Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman on Wednesday evening when over 200 students received their degrees from the ruler of the emirate. His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council, UAE and Ruler of Ajman, honoured the achievements of 204 graduates at the 14th convocation ceremony held at the Emirates Hospitality Centre, Al Jurf, Ajman.
Congratulating graduates on their achievement, Sheikh Humaid urged them to continue their specialised studies and excel in their careers. He advised them to utilise the knowledge acquired from GMU to help the society and the nation. Addressing the Emirati graduates, he said that they were a source of honour to the country, and promised them continued support.
Accompanied by their families, many of them who flew into the country to see their loved ones graduate, students ranged from 38 different nationalities. 
Addressing the gathering, Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder, president board of trustees, Gulf Medical University (GMU) said, "GMU is now into its 20th year of operation and we are now among the most in demand private medical university in the region. Our network of THUMBAY Academic Hospital is one among the biggest healthcare providers in the country, treating patients from around 175 nationalities. The Gulf Medical University now collaborates with over 45 institutions across the world and has taken steps to include innovative and path breaking educational initiatives."
Apath-breaking in MBBS, 31 in dentistry; 19 in pharmacy; 21 in physiotherapy, two each from clinical pathology and public health courses and one toxicology graduate were conferred this year. 
Abu Bakar Yousuf, holding his one-year-old son Yousuf, was applauding for his wife Halima who received her degree in pharmacy on Wednesday. "This is one of the most memorable moments of my life as I met my wife at my graduation in 2012 in American University of Sharjah and today I am here with our son for her graduation at GMU."
Halima's parents and siblings had come all the way from Nigeria to attend her graduation. "My coming to the UAE has proved very lucky for me as I met my wife Halima here. It's amazing how people meet, fall in love and get together in this beautiful country," Abu Bakar told Khaleej Times.
South African expat Samantha Sparrow, who secured the second rank in her MBBS batch at GMU, said her six-year journey at the university has been eventful. "The best thing about being here is the fact that the UAE is so international. I mean in South Africa I just have my own nationality friends but here look at the variety of my friends. I have friends from Sri Lanka, Arab countries, Zimbabwe, Asia and to be able to talk to patients here I have also learned some Arabic. I am grateful to the university and the UAE for welcoming me and letting me fulfil my dream of becoming a doctor."
Sri Lankan expat Chiranthie, who graduated in medicine and surgery, said: "I loved every minute of mine here at the university. It was a lot of work but also fun at the same time.
"It is amazing working here because it is such a melting pot of cultures. I got to work not only with different types of people but also on different types of maladies because people come here from different parts of the world. So the enormous exposure I got here is something I don't think I would have got anywhere," Chiranthie added. 
saman@khaleejtimes.com