Sharjah 24: The University of Sharjah (UOS) has convened the first meeting of the advisory council for its College of Medicine in its new formation for the current academic year, bringing together a distinguished group of experts and specialists in medicine and healthcare. The meeting, held on the University’s main campus, forms part of its broader strategic push to strengthen partnerships with the health and community sectors, while advancing academic and research programmes in line with the evolving demands of the labour market.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Prof. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of UOS, welcomed the council members and conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah. Prof. Agamy underscored the leadership’s firm belief in the pivotal role advisory councils play in shaping future directions and refining academic programmes to meet both regional and international workforce needs.
Integrated hub at the regional level
Furthermore, Prof. Agamy referred to the University’s Medical and Health Sciences Colleges Complex as a uniquely integrated hub at the regional level and one of the most comprehensive in terms of academic and professional offerings. He added that the establishment of a fully integrated healthcare ecosystem on UoS campus is underway, describing it as a new initiative that brings together education, research, and community service under a single umbrella.
He concluded his address to the council by pointing to clinical training as one of the most pressing challenges, calling for coordinated efforts to enhance and sustain high-quality training opportunities for students. The University, he said, is committed to producing graduates who are professionally prepared and ready to serve in the healthcare sector, contributing meaningfully to its development and helping deliver comprehensive, high-quality care.
The council meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Sheikha Dr Noura Khalid Al Qasimi was elected as vice chair.
Rapid transformation driven by technological advances and shifting patient needs
In his remarks, Dr Al Rand said the healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advances and shifting patient needs. He noted that medical schools can no longer limit their role to teaching alone, but must also help shape the future of healthcare, scientific research, and health policy. He emphasised the importance of equipping students with a broad skill set that includes digital health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical decision making, alongside integrating emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and precision medicine into the curriculum. Such efforts, he said, are essential to ensuring graduates are prepared for the demands of the future.
Dr Al Rand added that scientific research remains the cornerstone of progress, calling for stronger research infrastructure and greater encouragement of innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. These efforts, he argued, are key to preparing a new generation of physicians capable of responding to evolving health challenges.
For his part, Dr Salah Taher Al Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, presented an overview of the advisory council’s role in strengthening engagement with the community and fostering strategic partnerships. Next, Prof. Mohammad Al Shubri, Acting Dean of the College of Medicine, together with Dr Iman Abu Gharbia, Vice Dean, reviewed the college’s strategic plan, as well as key performance indicators and statistics related to academic programmes and faculty development.
Advancing scientific research and expanding collaboration with healthcare institutions
The meeting also featured a wide-ranging discussion of recommendations and ideas focused on advancing scientific research, strengthening practical training for students, and expanding collaboration with healthcare institutions. These proposals, participants agreed, are key to enhancing graduate readiness and aligning their skills with the demands of the labor market. Members stressed the importance of holding council meetings on a regular basis to deepen integration between the academic and healthcare sectors, while sustaining momentum in innovation and development in medical education. Such efforts, they said, are central to realizing the University of Sharjah’s vision of excellence and leadership.
The advisory council brings together a diverse group of prominent figures from across the medical and healthcare landscape. It is chaired by H.E. Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, with Dr Sheikha Noura Khalid Al Qasimi, President of the Emirates Medical Association, serving as vice chair. Its members include Dr. Suhail Al Rukn, President of the World Congress of Neurology; Dr Sawsan Al Fahoum Jaafar, founding member and chair of the board of Friends of Cancer Patients; Dr Amira Saif Al Khaja, Director of Primary Healthcare Centres in Sharjah at Emirates Health Services; and Dr Aref Al Nouri, Chief Executive Officer of Al Qassimi Hospital.
Also among its members are Dr Nezak Raouf, consultant anesthesiologist and medical director at Emirates Specialty Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City; Dr Emad Hashem Ahmed, consultant neurosurgeon at the Canadian Specialist Hospital and Al Madina Hospital; Ahmed Hareb Al Saadi, Assistant Director for Military Health Services Support at the Ministry of Defense; Sherif Beshara, Chief Executive Officer of the Mohamed and Obaid Al Mulla Group at the American Hospital; Professor Mohamed Ahmed Ghoneim, founder and director of the Urology and Nephrology Center in Egypt; and Professor Tim Strate, Head of General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Hamburg in Germany.
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