Gulf Medical University Signs MoU with Washington State University for Strategic Cooperation in Academia, Training & Research

The College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Washington State University (WSU), USA, to promote mutual cooperation in the areas of academia, training and research.

The MoU was signed at Gulf Medical University on 22^nd September 2019 by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU and Dr. Sherief Khalifa, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, representing Gulf Medical University and Linda Garrelts MacLean, Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dr. Asif Chaudhry, Vice President for International Programs, representing WSU.

According to the agreement, GMU and WSU will cooperate to develop joint educational and research activities, student and faculty exchanges, information sharing and practical training.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU stated, “This MoU marks the beginning of GMU’s long-term partnership with WSU in several mutually beneficial areas, with the shared objective of improving the quality of education and research. This partnership is in line with GMU’s strategic vision to be a leading international academic healthcare institution through the integration of quality health professions education, research, healthcare and social accountability for sustainable community development.”

Prof. Sherief Khalifa, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy commented, “This is a unique collaboration that is expected to result in a state of the art drug information service in Thumbay University Hospital. The service will be run by licensed pharmacists who are academicians in the College of pharmacy at GMU and in continuous consultation with drug information experts from WSU. The Center for Drug Information and Evidence Based Practice will serve to enhance clinical pharmacy services in Thumbay hospitals, clinics and pharmacies and will a provide an excellent training opportunity for our PharmD students at GMU.

With 6 colleges and 26 accredited programs, GMU is a leading medical university of the Middle East region. The Gulf Medical University Academic Health System is the first of its kind in the region’s private sector. GMU enjoys a robust collaboration with 60+ prestigious universities around the world, including the University of Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee – USA, University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy in Connecticut, Tokyo Medical Dental University, etc. GMU receives students from more than 80 countries as its reputation and image goes beyond the region.

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program offered by the College of Pharmacy, GMU, has been recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), making it the first internationally certified entry-to-practice PharmD program in UAE. The PharmD program is fully accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education, UAE. GMU PharmD students are the only graduates eligible to take the pharmacist license examination right after graduation. The success rate in pharmacist licensure examination in UAE by GMU PharmD students is 100% in the first attempt.

Founded in 1890, Washington State is a public research university in Pullman, Washington. It is one of the oldest land-grant universities in the American West and features programs in a broad range of academic disciplines. It is the second largest institution of higher education in Washington.

A high profile delegation from Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital (SKSH), Ras Al Khaimah, visited Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, on September 11, 2019, with the aim of further strengthening the existing collaboration between both the institutions in the fields of healthcare, research and education. The visiting delegation included Dr. Chang Suk Suh – CEO, Dr. Myung-Whun Sung – former CEO, Dr. Ji Min Chang – CMO and other important officials.

The delegation was received at GMU by the Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy, accompanied by Prof. Salem Chouaib – Vice Chancellor Research and Director of Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Prof. Manda Venkatramana – Vice Chancellor Academics & Dean of the College of Medicine, and the Deans of the colleges under GMU.

The SKSH delegation held a meeting with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellors of GMU, discussing ways to further strengthen the existing ties in research and education, to achieve significant improvements in patient care and to combat the prevalence of lifestyle diseases. Both institutions also reaffirmed their commitment to work closely to develop joint efforts to support scientific research, health services and knowledge dissemination, and to also cooperate in developing and training healthcare professionals, conducting joint research projects, organizing joint conferences and training and exchange of information.

The delegates visited the cutting-edge research center of Gulf Medical University – the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, as well as the Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare (CASH). The delegation also visited the state-of-the-art healthcare facilities at Thumbay Medicity; the Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital and the Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, all Academic Health Centers of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that Gulf Medical University was keen to explore more areas of collaboration with SKSH. “We look forward to working closely with Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, in accordance with GMU’s strategic plan of developing ties with leading institutions in academics, healthcare and research, worldwide. With our strategic partnerships with renowned international universities and leading industry partners, GMU is now positioned to broadly disseminate discoveries and to rapidly deliver treatments to patients,” he explained.

Students of the College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, celebrated World Physiotherapy Day with a variety of programs, on 10^th September 2019. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU, in the presence of Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor – Academics, and Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean, College of Health Sciences.

World Physiotherapy Day is observed annually to promote awareness on the importance of physical therapy, and to encourage people to adapt healthy and active lifestyles. The programs included seminars, demonstrations and activities to raise awareness on various problems related to physical wellbeing and chronic pain, and the ways to manage and treat them with physiotherapy interventions. Students also stressed upon the benefits of exercises and physical fitness in management of chronic pain. Awareness activities were also organized at the Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital in the University campus.

Dr. Ramprasad M., faculty of physiotherapy delivered a talk on “Chronic Pain”, in line with  the theme of WCPT 2019. GMU alumni Ms. Yasmin Nasir who works as a successful physiotherapist in the UK shared her experiences and inspired the students with a talk on her ‘success story’.

One of the six colleges of Gulf Medical University, the College of Health Sciences offers programs in Physical Therapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Imaging Sciences, and Anesthesia Technology. The students of the Bachelor of Physical Therapy (BPT) program undergo clinical training at the Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital (TPTRH), located within the University campus, at Thumbay Medicity. The hospital is an Academic Health Center of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System.

One of the most advanced physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities in the region, TPTRH seeks to redefine the standards of physical rehabilitation by introducing innovation in the form of state-of-the-art technology, futuristic facilities, cutting-edge research and advanced learning. Innovation is one of the key features of the hospital. State-of-the-art rehabilitation treatment is delivered through advanced technology like virtual reality, robotics and advanced rehabilitation modalities. The hospital operates in collaboration with internationally renowned Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Valduce Hospital, Italy. It is attached to the 500-bed Thumbay University Hospital at Thumbay Medicity, with 50 dedicated beds and a Therapeutic Garden for faster and holistic recovery.

Organized by Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital at Thumbay Medicity, the 2-day conference brought together globally renowned experts in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, the biggest state-of-the-art hospital for physical therapy and rehabilitation conducted the ‘2nd International Annual Conference on Innovation in Rehabilitation Practice and Medicine’, at Thumbay Medicity, on the 13^th and 14^th of September 2019. The conference was attended by renowned international speakers and experts who shared their insights and concepts on the latest and emerging trends in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, before an audience of more than 250 people including leading surgeons, physiotherapists and other medical professionals from the region. Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention for 15 CME Hours, the conference was organized to mark the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day.

His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Court, Ajman, was the chief guest of the presentation ceremony. Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group presided.

His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi commended Dr. Thumbay Moideen for setting up Thumbay Medicity; a world-class hub of medical education, healthcare and research. “Thumbay Medicity is one of the most prestigious projects in Ajman. We are proud to have a project of this magnitude here. This will have multiple effects on our economy,” His Excellency said.

H.E. Sheikh Dr. Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi presented special awards of honor and recognition to the following leading physical therapy and rehabilitation experts:

• Franco Molteni – Director, Hospital Valduce Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy.
• U. T. Ifthikar Ali – Professor of Physiotherapy and Syndicate member of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, India
• Dr. Yacine Zerguini – Medical Director and Owner of FMCE Algiers – a fully accredited FIFA Medical Center of Excellence.

Dr. Franco Molteni said that he was pleased to receive such an important recognition, in acknowledgement of the value of his work. About Thumbay Medicity, he said that it was a unique campus combining academics with healthcare, where physical therapy occupies an important role. “Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital, located within the multidisciplinary environment of Thumbay Medicity, has the right kind of atmosphere to promote the growth of physical therapy & rehabilitation as a discipline. The Long Term Care facility at Thumbay University Hospital is significant in that it is housed within one of the biggest acute care hospitals, with impressive facilities in terms of building, space and technology,” he added.

Dr. U. T. Ifthikar said that he was honored to attend the conference and receive the award for the second consecutive year. “This conference brings together global experts and leading companies in the field of Physical Therapy to discuss and showcase the latest technological innovations, as well as the way forward. This is in fact a forum for professionals and experts from different countries to interact and share ideas, which is good for the future of the discipline,” he explained. “Of all the hospitals of physical therapy and rehabilitation that I’ve visited around the world, I’ve felt that Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center is unique, considering its facilities, the wide range of therapies available, technological superiority and its visionary leadership. Furthermore, for students of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in physical therapy, it enriches their knowledge and experience as they train in facilities like this,” he said.

Dr. Yacine Zerguini said, “The conference was really amazing. I was really impressed by the programs, the quality of the discussions and the attendance. I also visited the Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, and found it to be an outstanding facility. I think it is a wonderful idea to have the Thumbay Rehabilitation Hospital, Thumbay University Hospital and the Gulf Medical University under one roof, giving Thumbay Medicity the potential to do plenty of things in healthcare and education, in the field of physical therapy.

One of the most advanced physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities in the region, Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital (TPTRH) boasts state-of-the-art technology, futuristic facilities, cutting-edge research and advanced learning. Innovation is one of the key features of the hospital. State-of-the-art rehabilitation treatment is delivered through advanced technology like virtual reality. The hospital operates in collaboration with internationally renowned Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Valduce Hospital, Italy. It is attached to the 500-bed Thumbay University Hospital at Thumbay Medicity, with a 100-bed Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Unit, as well as a Therapeutic Garden for faster and holistic recovery. The hospital has a stroke unit with uniquely developed protocols guiding the treatment modalities and cutting-edge stroke rehabilitation technology such as the robotic exoskeleton.

The food court is envisioned as a ‘Live & Learn’ space, immensely benefiting the students and faculty of Gulf Medical University as well as the various hospitals within Thumbay Medicity, by facilitating greater social, academic and intellectual interactions and enriched learning experiences

Thumbay Food Court, the multi-cuisine food court under Thumbay Group’s Hospitality Division, was inaugurated at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman on 25th July 2019. Offering a unique culinary experience, the food court features the vibrant flavors of the Arab world and India, in a splendid ambience complemented by spacious seating and cozy interiors. This also marks the launch of the ‘Live & Learn’ concept at Thumbay Medicity, making it a lively space of social, professional and academic interactions.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of Gulf Medical University was the chief guest of the opening ceremony, in the presence of Mr. Farhad C., Director of Thumbay Group’s Hospitality Division. The food court is located at the ground floor of Thumbay University Hospital, the biggest academic hospital in the region.

Commenting on the new food court, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “Today we are not inaugurating just a food court; it is much more than that. We are introducing new concepts which integrate health, wellness, education, socialization and communication. The food court is part of Gulf Medical University’s futuristic vision which is translating into this magnificent space. Its presence in the state-of-the-art Thumbay University Hospital makes it the heart of the building where students, patients, healthcare providers and visitors meet, exchange, talk, learn and create a new culture. The concept of ‘Live & Learn’ will be live from today. Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group created it, nurtures it and keeps it growing.”

Thumbay Food Court includes The Terrace Restaurant – a HACCP certified Arab-Indian restaurant, in addition to the renowned South Indian vegetarian brand Saravana Bhavan Restaurant and a prominent Arabic restaurant slated to open soon, hence offering a variety of culinary flavors to enjoy, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets. The food court is beautifully designed with premium lighting and modern architecture, with a total of 250 seats. Top quality chairs and tables with their unique designs ensure that diners enjoy their meals in absolute comfort. It mainly serves the anticipated 20,000+ floating population of Thumbay Medicity. It also has a meeting/conference hall for gatherings and parties. The food court is located such that it is easily accessible both from within the hospital as well as from outside, with ample free parking available for vehicles.

Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay – Vice President of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group said, “Thumbay Food Court will serve nutritious meals to in-patients and visitors at Thumbay University Hospital as well as the Thumbay Dental Hospital and the Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital. In-patients on restricted diets or those who have special dietary needs will receive nutrition counseling from one of our registered dietitians at Thumbay University Hospital, and will be served by the food court accordingly. The food court would also offer room-service for in-patients.”

Mr. Farhad C. said that Thumbay Food Court aims to maintaining the highest quality standards in terms of food and hygiene. “The food court’s decor ensures a serene environment for enjoying a meal, with the promise of prompt services at all times. Furthermore, the multi-cuisine menu ensures that a lot of choices are available for customers, when it comes to selecting their favorite food,” he added.

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program offered by the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman has been recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), making it the first internationally certified entry-to-practice PharmD program in UAE. The ACPE Board of Directors reviewed the PharmD degree program for granting the certification at its meeting during 19-22 June, 2019. All members of the faculty participated actively in the rigorous process of preparing self-study report, site visit, and supplementary reports.

The PharmD program is fully accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education, UAE. GMU PharmD students are the only graduates eligible to take the pharmacist license examination right after graduation. The success rate in pharmacist licensure examination in UAE by GMU PharmD students is 100% in the first attempt.

Prof. Sherief Khalifa, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, GMU said, “The institutional and programmatic transformation that happened in the College and the PharmD program is a step in the right direction. Due to these changes, we are attracting and retaining high quality faculty and the best and brightest students. It is a privilege for all of us, faculty and students to be part of a college and a program that is ACPE certified. Our mission of continuous quality improvement keeps us always on the lookout for better ways to educate our students. This is part of our responsibility to produce pharmacists who can better serve their patients in UAE and anywhere in the world.”

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading medical university in the Middle East region, hosted the prestigious MRCPUK PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) exam in collaboration with the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom, at the university campus between the 2^nd and 4^th of  July 2019. With this, GMU has joined the exclusive list of international PACES exam centers in the region hosting this high-profile examination conducted under strict vigilance, in compliance with the stringent standards and guidelines laid down by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, UK.

Attempted worldwide, the PACES exams are held two to three times a year in UK and at recognized international exam centers, sat by thousands of doctors around the world. The examination tests trained doctors’ ability to practice medicine safely and efficiently. During the PACES exam, physicians are assessed for their clinical skills, history taking & communication skills. Combined with two written exams, passing qualifies a doctor for the MRCPUK (Member of the Royal College of Physicians, UK) qualification, internationally recognized by many regulators as quality benchmarks of medical knowledge and clinical skills.

Dr. Donald L. Farquhar, International Medical Director (Assessment) said, “GMU is our new center in the region; we are delighted to have a new center as GMU. I’ve been very impressed with the University; this is my third visit here. We’ve worked with them in a partnership to develop the exam center, and we hope in the future to be also involved in training of post-graduate doctors at the soon-to-open Thumbay University Hospital in the campus here. We find GMU to be a very forward-looking, stimulating university with a lot of enthusiasm and can-do attitude.”

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU said, “We are proud to be an international center for the MRCPUK PACES examination in UAE. This would immensely benefit the young doctors in the UAE and the region, inspiring them to acquire an internationally respected post-graduate qualification. Furthermore, the establishment of the center is in line with GMU’s vision to be a leading international academic healthcare institution through the integration of quality health professions education, research, healthcare and social accountability for sustainable community development.”

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, has become the first medical university in the region to introduce 3D Digital Learning.  The new technology brings all aspects of medical education; particularly basic medical sciences, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry presented in immersive technology in high definition stereoscopic 3D with 5.1 surround sound.

It brings stunning visuals which explains complex medical concepts lucidly to students, and also features depth perception. It uses virtual microscopy in anatomy, pathology, microbiology and new advanced sciences. The content, animations and 3D stereoscopy enable students to understand greater levels of complexity, in addition to helping students understand structures and how things work.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU said that enabling 3D learning would provide a more enhanced learning experience for the students, immersing themselves in the complexities of the human body, viewing and analyzing medical sciences in new ways. “This will definitely help medical students understand concepts better, at the same time boosting their interest and curiosity in the field of medicine,” he said. “Medical education in the future will be very much technology-oriented, and GMU is adapting tomorrow’s technology today, so that we create medical professionals with futuristic outlook and skills. We are the first University in the region to introduce Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) technology which is a problem-based learning (PBL) application invoking critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communicational skills amongst students by giving them authentic medical problems presented by virtual patients including history and clinical examination, investigations, lab results, vital signs, X-rays, and interaction with virtual patients to obtain information that would help them correctly identify medical problems of each case and prescribe treatments.,” Prof. Hossam Hamdy added.

Prof. Manda Venkatramana – Vice Chancellor Academics, GMU, said that the use of 3D digital technology in training GMU students would not only benefit the students, but also the professors. “In the long-term, it will also benefit all those patients our students will be treating during their careers, because of the superior understanding and knowledge this technology imparts to our graduates,” he said.

Gulf Medical University has always been at the forefront of implementing innovative technologies in its teaching methodologies. The University has smart classrooms for enriched teaching. GMU’s Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare (CASH) is a multidisciplinary educational facility that provides high-tech simulated and virtually created hospital set-up for clinical and communication skills teaching and training for all health care professionals. The University has already developed and implemented Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), based on the Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is the only patient simulation with high fidelity and authenticity.

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading medical university in the region, has signed a MoU with the Yemeni Consulate in Dubai, according to which the University will be extending merit-based scholarships to Yemeni students in the UAE and GCC.

The MoU was signed on 4^th July 2019, at the GMU campus, by H.E. Mohammed S. Al Qutaish –Consul General and Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU. According to the agreement, GMU will offer partial scholarships for Yemeni students who fulfill the University’s scholarship criteria. The agreement also envisions academic cooperation between both parties.

Commenting on the agreement, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “Gulf Medical University values meritorious students, and our mission is to shape the future of healthcare. We believe that affordability should not be a hurdle to learning; in this Year of Tolerance and as a part of GMU strategic initiatives we offer scholarships to bright students from various nationalities. Nurturing local talent for the UAE and the other countries of the region is important for the growth of the region’s healthcare sector.”

One of the most popular medical universities in the region, GMU boasts a diverse student cohort of 80+ nationalities, and staff/faculty from 30 countries. GMU enjoys a robust collaboration with 60+ prestigious universities around the world. It is located in Thumbay Medicity, the regional hub of futuristic medical education, state-of-the-art healthcare and cutting-edge research. The faculty members are also active medical professionals and practitioners and some of them even researchers, giving students the advantage of learning under some of the most up-to-date experts in the region.

The Six Colleges of Gulf Medical University offering 26 programs are accredited by Commission of Academic Accreditation UAE, also the College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy has received world federation of medical education accreditation and certification from Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education respectively.

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading medical university in the region, has signed a MoU with the Palestinian Consulate in Dubai, according to which the University will be extending merit-based scholarships to Palestinian students in the UAE and GCC.

The MoU was signed on 20^th June 2019, at the GMU campus, by H.E. Youssef Al-Najjar – Deputy Consul General and Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU. According to the agreement, GMU will offer scholarships for Palestinians who fulfill the University’s scholarship criteria. The agreement also envisions academic cooperation between both parties.

Commenting on the agreement, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “Gulf Medical University values meritorious students, and our mission is to shape the future of healthcare. We believe that affordability should not be a hurdle to learning; in this Year of Tolerance and as a part of GMU strategic initiatives we offer scholarships to bright students from various nationalities. Nurturing local talent for the UAE and the other countries of the region is important for the growth of the region’s healthcare sector.”

One of the most popular medical universities in the region, GMU boasts a diverse student cohort of 80+ nationalities, and staff/faculty from 30 countries. GMU enjoys a robust collaboration with 60+ prestigious universities around the world. It is located in Thumbay Medicity, the regional hub of futuristic medical education, state-of-the-art healthcare and cutting-edge research. The faculty members are also active medical professionals and practitioners and some of them even researchers, giving students the advantage of learning under some of the most up-to-date experts in the region.

Gulf Medical University six colleges and 26 accredited programs. The undergraduate programs include Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics, Associate Degree in Pre-Clinical Sciences, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Science – Medical Imaging Sciences, Bachelor of Science – Anesthesia Technology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Masters programs include Joint Masters in Health Professions Education with FAIMER, United States and CenMEDIC, United Kingdom; Master in Public Health in collaboration with The University of Arizona, United States; Executive Master in Healthcare Management and Economics; Master in Clinical Pharmacy with Virginia Commonwealth University, United States & Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi; Master of Dental Surgery (Endodontics); Master of Dental Surgery (Periodontics); Master of Physical Therapy; and Master in Environmental Health & Toxicology.

Admissions are now open for the September 2019 intake, for various courses.