Gulf Medical University: Leading the way in innovating healthcare education

Located in Ajman, Gulf Medical University (GMU) boasts a global curriculum, expert faculty, state-of-the-art teaching/training technology, international collaborations and excellent clinical training facilities. The University has six colleges and offers 26 accredited programmes with more than 2,000 students belonging to 86 nationalities.

A major reform is taking place in its educational programmes that aims to focus on the humanistic aspects of all medical and health sciences with inter-professional education and early encounters. The University established the Institute of Interprofessional Education practice and research, the first of its kind in the region, led by Prof Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, who summarised the programme as "learning together for working together to improve healthcare."

The undergraduate programmes offered by GMU include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, biomedical sciences, healthcare management & economics, anaesthesia technology, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy, medical imaging sciences and associate degree in preclinical sciences. Graduate programmes are offered in public health, physical therapy, endodontology, periodontics, clinical pharmacy, healthcare management and economics, health professions education and medical laboratory sciences.

GMU's College of Healthcare Management and Economics is a unique, specialised college that aims to prepare graduates who want to pursue careers in healthcare management, health economics, policy-making and administration in the region and internationally. The college offers Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics (BSc HME) and Executive Master in Healthcare Management and Economics (EMHME). The programmes are offered in collaboration with leading international universities. The college is a member of the European Healthcare Management Association.

Located in Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, the hub of state-of-the-art medical education, healthcare and research, GMU provides clinical training to its students through the various academic health centres of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System, including Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospitals located in the campus. GMU graduates are given priority for employment with the various healthcare establishments of Thumbay Group, including the Thumbay Hospital network, as well as Thumbay Clinics, Thumbay Pharmacies and Thumbay Labs.

GMU enjoys a robust collaboration with a number of prestigious universities around the world, such as the University of Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee - US, University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy in Connecticut, German Heidelberg University, American University in Cairo, University of Ghana, Medical University of Lublin, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, etc., as well as research institutes, such as the Gustave Rossi Cancer Research Institute - France. The Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine leads research in the field of cancer biology and immunology, through international collaboration with France, Poland and Korea.

Since its inception 22 years ago, around 2,000 students have passed out of GMU and successfully working on the frontlines of healthcare across 60 countries. Among them are a number of Emirati medical practitioners who have made a mark in many UAE hospitals, helping the country advance towards its healthcare goals. The University's academic and research tie-ups with over 60 international universities and research institutions ensures global acceptance and employability.

GMU also offers a vibrant Continuous Medical Education programme for healthcare professionals, accredited by UAE health authorities. One of its most important strengths is its innovative curriculum, the clinical training in its academic hospitals and the advanced research institutes. The University continues to attract the best students from all over the world due to its international collaborations, futuristic curriculum, technology-enabled training methodology like the Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) and emphasis on early clinical training.