Media Release
Ajman, Feb 8: In a grand ceremony recently held at Gulf Medical University campus, Provost Gita Ashok Raj awarded certificates of completion of 18 CE units to the first batch of 5 students who have successfully completed 180 hours weekend courses in Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant, Medical Assistant-Laboratory, Medical Assistant-Administration conducted by the Centre for Continuing Education and Community Outreach.
The awarding ceremony began with the recitation from Holy Quran followed by the welcome address by Prof Minu Cherian, Assistant Director, CCE and CO who narrated the purpose, evolution and status of the short term courses.
The 180 hours weekend courses are designed for non-traditional learners who are already employed and could still avail the courses. These courses are divided into two parts – the first part comprises of 90 hours of health sciences that deals with general education necessary for all health professionals that includes basic anatomy, basic physiology, medical terminology, growth and development, communication skills, computers in health care, first and vitals etc. The second part of health sciences comprises of 90 hours of didactics, instructor led sessions, activities, practicals, online assignments and work site training specific to the area under study. The curriculum has been designed keeping in mind of the international standards with relevance to the GCC countries.
Besides the 5 students who were awarded certificates of completion of the 180 hours weekend courses, 27 students also received certificates of completion of short term courses in other fields. Out of the total of 27 students that received certificates, 14 students received certificate for completion of the Basic Arabic for health professionals course. This course deals with arabic relevant in a hospital setting. Further, 5 students some of whom were nurses, homeopathic doctors, dietician etc. received certificates of successful completion in Clinical Nutrition which is conducted over 35 hours/4 Saturday.
This course deals with learning the relevant aspects of nutrition in the normal and the diseased. 8 students who were 1st year medical, dental, pharmacy students with no science background and interested in Medical Insurance and Billing or Medical Coding and Billing Course later received certificates of completion in Medical Terminology. This courses is a pre-requisite to all the courses that are meant for health professionals, especially for students with science (preferred)/non-science background directly from high school who are keen in enrolling for some of the courses with the center.
Provost Gita Ashok Raj, a thorough academician, an able administrator and leader encouraged the awardees by stating that “these short term courses offered by the Centre for Continuing Education and Community Outreach at GMU formalizes knowledge and skills in areas of health care that were previously manned by unskilled personnel on the basis of their so called experience. These courses thus indirectly improves the job opportunities and patient care which is their ultimate goal”.
The grand event concluded with a vote of thanks by Sherly Ajay, Academic Advisor of Gulf Medical University.