Media Release
Ajman, Jan 31: The board of governors of Gulf Medical University (GMU), headed by the founder president Thumbay Moideen, appointed internationally renowned medical educator and pediatric surgeon professor Hossam Hamdy as chancellor of GMU, the leading private medical university in the region.
Professor Hossam Hamdy,accompanied by Thumbay Moideen, founder, president of board of governors of GMU, was granted audience with His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, member of the Supreme Council, UAE and ruler of Ajman, on Monday January 30, where he was formally introduced to His Highness.
“Professor Hossam Hamdy has joined GMU to help the university, to take it to a different level with his vast experience in the region. I am very confident that he will bring in international standards and new systems into the university,” said Thumbay Moideen, commenting on professor Hamdy’s appointment.
Speaking on his new role, professor Hossam Hamdy said, “I am pleased to join GMU. I look forward to having an exciting time supporting the journey of transition from a top-ranking medical university to a full-fledged academic healthcare system; a first-of-its-kind in the country.”
Professor Hamdy, who has an enviable track-record as a renowned professor of surgery and medical education across leading medical institutions in the Gulf and worldwide, has been a distinguished scholar, professional and leader in higher education in the Middle East for the last 40 years. He has established several medical colleges in Egypt, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar and brings with him a wealth of professional experience, having served in different senior academic and administrative positions; vice chancellor medical and health science colleges- Sharjah University, advisor to the president- Qatar University, director of the institute of leadership in higher education, dean college of medicine and medical sciences- Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain and as WHO consultant in medical education. He is one of the founders of the Suez Canal University Medical College in Egypt, a leading institute of medical education in the region.
Professor Hamdy is a member of the editorial board of the journal medical education, and editorial board of the journal health profession education. He is an avid researcher and has published more than 70 studies that are highly cited. He has introduced several innovations and best practices in medical education, and has received many awards like the Sheikh Khalifa Award for higher education for 'distinguished professor in teaching'. His efforts led the college of medicine, Arabian Gulf University to win the 'Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award' for best medical college in the Arab world. He was decorated by the Republic of France with the prestigious 'Chevalier Dans L’ordre Des Palmes Academiques' / 'Knight of the Order of Academic Palms' for his achievements.
Professor Hamdy completed his MBChB and doctorate of surgery from Alexandria University, Egypt. He is Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Physicians of England. He did his PhD in medical education from the University of Groningen, Netherland.
About Gulf Medical University:
Founded in 1998 by Thumbay Moideen, the founder president of Dubai-based international conglomerate Thumbay Group, the Gulf Medical University boasts of an internationally recognized curriculum, a wide network of teaching hospitals, an established research center, highly experienced/qualified faculty, separate furnished hostels for boys and girls, safe transportation facilities, on campus recreation and refreshment facilities, the center is today a preferred-choice for medical education to students of 75 nationalities.
GMU’s degree offerings are highly sought after not only for the early clinical exposure provided to students, but also for the advanced skills training and the research infrastructure. The university has also developed a wide network with many universities and leading hospitals abroad that offer Summer Training Program (STP) to provide global exposure to its students in the clinical year.
Moreover, the unique advantage of being associated with the Thumbay network of ultra-modern teaching hospitals and clinics that treat patients from around 175 nationalities daily is an added benefit for students. Thumbay Group’s six multispecialty hospitals in Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Hyderabad-India, a 25-chair dental hospital in Dubai which is the first private dental hospital in the country, a network of state-of-the-art Thumbay Clinics and Thumbay Labs in Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Hyderbad-India, in addition to outlets of Thumbay Pharmacy across the UAE and in Hyderabad provide training avenues for GMU students. Other prominent affiliated hospitals include Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Umm Al Quwain Hospital (ministry of health and prevention). A 350-bed ultra-modern teaching hospital, a 60-chair dental center and an advanced rehabilitation center within the GMU campus in Ajman, are upcoming projects expected to be completed shortly under the Thumbay Group.
The university operates a Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare (CASH), a multidisciplinary educational facility integrating hi-fidelity simulation as an educational tool for providing a safe learning environment that promotes development of professional skills.
GMU also houses the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation (CABRI), the largest chain of CAP-accredited laboratories and sample collection centers across the various Emirates. CABRI carries out world-class research in the field of medicine using high-end technology for medical diagnostics. A state-of-the-art Innovation Center is being developed within CABRI, which will further enhance its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. It will serve as a point of contact for scientists, faculty and students interested in cutting-edge medical research, in addition to fostering international collaborations and partnerships. The innovation center will be the first-of-its kind in the region and will have dedicated incubation laboratories.