Agreement aims to facilitate medical education, training and research programmes to support the healthcare workforce in enhancing their academic experience and developing their professional skills

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, June 21st 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, as part of its broader strategy for collaboration between academia and the industry, and to contribute to the overall academic development in the region.

The MoU aims to strengthen knowledge sharing and exchange between academia and industry through conducting medical education and vocational training programmes, research and courses for healthcare professionals. This comes in line with both parties’ plans for developing capabilities and bridging the skills gap within the healthcare workforce to better serve the industry needs, and to support the overall academic development in the region.

The MoU will benefit DIAC’s students and academic partners who offer various degrees in fields related to the healthcare sector. DIAC partners, including University of Bradford, Michigan State University, Middlesex University, Heriot Watt University and Islamic Azad University, offer various degrees in fields including Midwifery Studies, Nursing Studies, Health Management, Public Health, and Psychology.

DIAC-based academic institutions will now enjoy access to DHCC’s state-of-the-art facilities and venues. This includes the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre (MBR – AMC), the dedicated academic complex that houses a number of facilities that promote healthcare education and research. Within MBR – AMC, DIAC students and partners will have access to the Al Maktoum Medical Library (AMML), a state-of-the-art facility that houses the most advanced collection of medical education resources, in print and digital format, unmatched in the Gulf region. The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Medical Simulation Center, a comprehensive training facility offering training for healthcare professionals in a simulated environment, is also part of the MBR – AMC facilities.  

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village said:

“Our agreement with DHCC is part of our endeavour to partner with leading businesses in order to enhance our students’ experience, and to tackle skills shortfall as we work towards the development of the UAE’s healthcare industry. This ties back to the government’s wider vision to develop the region’s talent pool and achieve sustainable economic growth. We welcome opportunities and initiatives that result in collaborations between industry and academia.”

Marwan Abedin, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City, said:

“Our partnership with DIAC is driven by a shared goal of furthering education and professional development in the region. DHCC is always committed to building strategic partnerships with leading educational and training bodies and institutions to strengthen specialised medical talent pool in the region.”

Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, Managing Director, Dubai Healthcare City – Education, said:

“Through our collaboration with DIAC, education providers and students will benefit from the world class training offered at our facilities, including the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Medical Simulation Center. We look forward to receiving students from DIAC and its partner institutions. We are also keen to pursue future collaboration in academia in context of healthcare.”

The MoU comes as one of DIAC’s continuous efforts to support Dubai’s industry growth by arming the workforce with the necessary skills. The recent findings of DIAC’s Workforce Planning Study, in conjunction with Deloitte, examined whether the UAE’s education programmes are serving the needs of the industry, and found an increase in demand for skills associated with healthcare education. The study of over 2,400 students across 17 MENA markets reported that healthcare spending is expected to double between 2010 and 2015 across the region as a result of the increasing incidence of chronic lifestyle diseases, an increase in government budget allocation and mandatory insurance usage. These factors have created an increased in demand for specialised skills, such as medical and laboratory technology, especially at entry and middle levels. Hospital management and clinical data management skills were identified as areas lacking in senior level employees.

Ends

Notes to editors:

About Dubai International Academic City

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s largest Free Zone dedicated to Higher Education. Established in 2007, as part of TECOM Investments – a member of Dubai Holding – DIAC aims to develop the region’s talent pool and help establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy through the provision of multi-tiered academic institutions that are internationally accredited.

DIAC is located on a fully-appointed 18 million sq ft campus with state-of-the-art facilities. It is home to a large number of  universities from 10 countries, including Amity University, Heriott Watt University, Michigan State University, University of Wollongong, BITS Pilani, Hult International Business School, Murdoch University and Manchester Business School, to name a few.

DIAC provides more than 400 certificate, diploma, undergraduate, post graduate and PHD programmes to over 20,000 students of 125 nationalities.

About Dubai Healthcare City

Launched in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is a free zone mandated to meet the demand for high-quality, patient-centered healthcare.

Through strategic partnerships, DHCC brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, wellness and allied support.

Located in the heart of Dubai, DHCC comprises two phases. Phase 1, dedicated to healthcare and medical education, covers 4.1 million square feet, and Phase 2, which is dedicated to wellness, will cover 19 million square feet. Development in Phase 2 is underway.

DHCC, overseen by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), operates in:

Healthcare: The DHCC is home to two hospitals, more than 120 outpatient medical centers and diagnostic laboratories with more than 4,000 licensed professionals. Through the expertise of leading medical institutions and providers, patients have access to the A-Z of quality healthcare.

Education and Research: Through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center (MBR-AMC), DHCC aims to establish an integrated academic and clinical environment to build capacity and advance medical education in the region.

Investment: DHCC offers medical and healthcare providers with a ‘one-stop shop’ solution to set up operations and avail of free zone benefits. The investment product portfolio has clinical, commercial, retail, business centre and free-hold land.

Regulatory: Under DHCA, the Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ) is an independent regulatory body responsible for licensing healthcare providers and professionals, and setting and maintaining international best practice in healthcare delivery and patient care within DHCC.

For further information, please visit: www.dhcc.ae

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