The Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Ras Al Khaimah
has introduced a one-year master of nutrition degree programme, where instruction is provided through a “hybrid” learning model.

The model comprises a combination of ten-day residency sessions held three times over the course of one year, and computer-facilitated lectures and participation when students work from home in between the residencies in Ras Al Khaimah.

The one-year programme offers a degree identical in stature to the masters degrees earned at Tufts’ Friedman School in the US and is taught by the same faculty.

“This new programme has been created with an emphasis on the needs of populations in the Gulf and broader region, and to standards identical to those at our Boston campus,” said Dr Eileen T Kennedy, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Student Elizabeth Lundeen, programme manager for the Swiss Red Cross working in Kyrgyzstan, said: “This hybrid learning model is the perfect opportunity for me to gain more formal and rigorous nutrition education from a top nutrition school, while continuing my full-time work on micronutrient supplementation programs in Kyrgyzstan.”

The master’s programmme in Ras Al Khaimah has attracted students from several countries, including Egypt, Morocco and Qatar.

Tufts University’s Dr Lynne Ausman, the Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi professor in international nutrition, is in Ras Al Khaimah teaching the new students.

“Countries in the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa have the same nutrition-related chronic diseases as in the US,” she said.

“There are individuals living with food insecurity and malnutrition while many others are suffering from obesity and co-morbidities of diabetes and heart disease. The solutions are complex but economics, behavior modification, and nutrition are key components to addressing chronic disease.”

“Our master’s program provides a strong foundation in nutrition and nutritional biochemistry as well as important policy components including food policy fundamentals and monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs.

“Graduates of the program are expected to work in government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in the rapidly expanding corporate service sectors, and with international organizations, including the Untied Nation’s agencies and regional development organizations,” added Ausman.

She said that the students graduating from Ras Al Khaimah will have the option to pursue the doctorate degree offered by the school in US.

“We are very excited about bringing a world-class program in nutrition to Ras Al Khaimah, especially from a renowned university like Tufts,” said Dr Parikh, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Education Company.

“We hope to serve students, not only from the UAE, but from the entire region. It is wonderful to see students from various health-related fields participating in the program and we expect to have a student strength of 60 in two years.”

Dr. Parikh added that Ras Al Khaimah’s partnership with Tufts will also see the launch of several short courses and certificate programs for health care professionals as part of continuing professional education in areas of present and growing concern to the region. – TradeArabia News Service