(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Gulf Medical University (GMU), with Dh20 million investments, has embarked again on a major transformation of all its sectors with an emphasis on research and innovation.
The leading educational and health institution, founded in 1998, has opened an all new centre that will introduce precision medicine, along with two other institutes in advancing phase of development - The Thumbay Institute of Population Health and The Thumbay Institute of Healthcare Workforce Development and Leadership.
His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, inaugurated the centre on Monday morning in the presence of other ruling family members, the founder and president Board of Governors GMU Thumbay Moideen, health ministry officials, representatives from foreign missions, academic leaders and doctors from all over UAE.
"I would like to see more Emirati cadres among the centre staff next time," Shaikh Humaid urged. "Those students, who study and receive training here, need to be given priority in appointment."
Prof Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, GMU, said the Thumbay Institute of Precision Medicine and Translational Research (TIPM & TR) will focus on two main research domains: Diabetes and Cancer. "There are escalating figures of patients with these two chronic diseases in the Gulf," he exclusively told Khaleej Times. "We need to address these two, along with blood diseases."
An annual budget of Dh6 million has been specified for funding research with more attention on researchers, devices and materials, and plans to attract global experts, he added.
"The university, in a bid to secure the fund needed for certain sophisticated researches, is thinking of establishing endowment chairs, and cover some others from local and international entities."
The Emirati and Arab students constitute some 50 per cent of the students studying at the GMU, while the remaining 50 per cent are from other nationalities, he said. "We are also planning to recruit more Emiratis as advised by the His Highness Sheikh Humaid, even appoint more of our graduates here, and help our students publish at least one research before graduation."
A unique centre
This centre is quite different from another research centre earlier opened here, he explained to Khaleej Times. "Here is more focus on the new precision medicine in which each and every patient is genetically studied for special treatment with the help of the latest equipment."
The institute will have state-of-the-art research laboratories with new technology in genetics; next generation sequencing (NGS); 3D tissue printing; bio innovation incubator; health robotics and artificial intelligence innovation; stem cell research and bioavailability & bioequivalence studies, he said. "We shall create opportunities for graduate students and other young researchers to connect with other international institutions and support them in their careers."
The researchers at the Institute will address the importance of tailoring the treatment protocol for each patient to what is unique about them genetically, lifestyle and environmental wise, Prof. Hamdy added.
"The researchers are on diagnostic investigations for the early detection of cancer and response to different modalities of treatment, and the Institute will serve as a hub for researchers, faculty, clinicians, and students interested in medical research."
It will also become an incubator for innovation startup companies and launch innovative products and services, Prof Hamdy said. "The institute also aims to spur medical innovation and offer a platform for healthcare researchers, biomedical innovators and medical scientists in the region."
It will foster collaborations and partnerships with international institutions like Wisconsin Medical University USA, and Gustave Roussy from Paris, he said. "These are added to leading universities from Bahrain, Switzerland and Italy, research labs, pharma companies and the healthcare industry."
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.
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