Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) has signed a MoU with Dubai Healthcare City as part of its broader strategy for collaboration between academia and the industry, and to contribute to the overall academic development in the region.

A health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, Dubai Healthcare City said 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, it stated.

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 Dubai Healthcare City’s key 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, the DIAC students and partners will have access to the Al Maktoum Medical Library (AMML), a facility that houses advanced collection of medical education resources, in print and digital format.

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, the managing director of DIAC and Dubai Knowledge Village said the agreement is part of its endeavour to partner with leading businesses in order to enhance the students’ experience, and to tackle skills shortfall as it works 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," he stated.

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, the 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," he added.-TradeArabia News Service