Media Release
Ajman, Nov 6: Gulf Medical University (GMU), the biggest private medical university in the Middle East region celebrated its 20th anniversary on November 5. The special ceremony was attended by Dr Thumbay Moideen – founder, president Board of Trustees GMU, Prof Hossam Hamdy – chancellor of GMU, Akbar Moideen Thumbay – vice president of the healthcare division of Thumbay Group, vice provost and deans of the colleges of the university as well as other staff and students. It was an occasion to reflect GMU’s achievements till date, while at the same time reaffirming its commitment to future directions and aspirations.
Dr Thumbay Moideen said that GMU’s completion of 20 years marks an important milestone in its pursuit of growth and success. “From humble beginnings as the region’s first private medical University, today, two decades since its inception, GMU stands tall as the region’s only private Academic Health System, delivering futuristic medical education at the same time playing an important role in providing state-of-the-art healthcare and promoting innovative research. The evolution of GMU as one of the most popular destinations of advanced medical education, healthcare and research in the region is the result of dedication and hardwork, not to mention GMU’s philosophy of constant innovation and above all, the grace of the Almighty. We have received excellent support from the government, throughout this journey,” he said.
Prof Hossam Hamdy said that GMU has built a unique model in the form of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS), showing the world that the future of medical education is ‘systems’ linking education, healthcare and research. “We now have 7 colleges and 26 accredited programmes, with many new programmes expected to receive accreditation soon.” He added that admissions for the academic year 2018-19 are now open for various courses.
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 - USA, 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 & Dental University and several others as well as research institutes such as the Gustave Rossi Cancer Research Institute – France. GMU uses latest technologies like Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), its own simulation programme in teaching and training students across all majors, to ensure their workplace readiness once they graduate.
Research is an important strategic direction of GMUAHS. The Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine leads research in the field of cancer biology and immunology, with international collaboration with France, Poland and Korea. In terms of advancing healthcare in the UAE and globally, GMU has launched three medical researches: Cancer Immunology and experimental oncology; Tumor genetic instability and immunogenicity; and biomarkers and functional genomics.
GMU attracts students from new countries each year and the University’s student community is approximately 2000-strong today, hailing from more than 80 countries. The student population is growing every year. GMU has been ranked among the top 50 medical universities in the Middle East by US News. Bagged Gold at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. GMU also secured top positions in e-learning regionally and globally at the Wharton QS-Stars Reimagine Education Conference & Awards 2018 in the USA, in addition to obtaining 5 stars in teaching and community engagement by QS. The university also received the prestigious Dubai Quality Appreciation Award this year, for the 2017 assessment cycle.
The strategic plans of Gulf Medical University include increasing its global footprint by setting up three new medical university campuses in three different countries. GMU aspires to transform into a research-based university by 2025.