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First co-ed College of Medicine to open in Dubai in Sept

Dubai - Enrollment for six-year course to begin in next few weeks.

September 2016 will mark the beginning of yet another upward journey on the UAE's medical path as Dubai Healthcare City's Mohammed Bin Rashid University (MBRU) of Medicine and Health Sciences begins enrollment for its first co-ed medical college.The programme will be open to all nationalities and aims to strengthen Dubai's health workforce.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the opening day of Arab Health 2016, Dean of MBRU, Dr Alawi Alsheikh Ali said with the growing burden of disease both globally and regionally, the programme intends to create a "highly competitive work force", fit to function in the global market.
"The population is growing here in the UAE and there is a real need for strong and high-quality healthcare professionals."
But with a high number of students choosing to study at medical colleges overseas, how will they persuade students to stay?
"Just like we ask our students to prove themselves, we have to prove ourselves too. More people are staying here for treatment nowadays as the healthcare sector is growing stronger everyday and we are seeing the same trend with people staying to study."
The six-year programme will begin accepting applications within "the next few weeks", CEO, DHCC - Education Sector, Dr Amer Sharif told Khaleej Times.
"This is a very good time to be in medicine. The sector is changing very fast and we intend to create a very competitive environment for our students. We are partnering with both public and private hospitals in Dubai but work placements for graduates will not be guaranteed. They will have to prove themselves."
In its first year, Dr Ali said it will take in "40-50 students only". They will undergo a very stringent academic criteria including an English proficiency test, and a standard interview to evaluate the communication skills of the student.
The six-year degree course will be recognised by the Ministry of Education and is accredited by Queen's University in Belfast.
Queen's University will provide quality assurance for the programme including its policies and the faculty members.
Scholarships will also be available to some students though work is still ongoing to finalise the criteria, Dr Sharif said.
"The aim of the College of Medicine is to prepare the doctors of tomorrow for 21st century healthcare. It is an exciting time."
The College of Medicine is the second of the MBRU, alongside the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com