Since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have introduced Covid-19 sciences to our programmes,” says Prof.Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, which offers 26 accredited programmes in the UAE.“We are also using our research platforms to study several aspects of Covid-19. Moreover, we have published several research papers in relation to teaching during the pandemic.

“Also, we are the pioneer of using artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Several years ago, we developed Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), which is a human being playing the role of the patient to simulate a patient receiving answers according to the questions being asked by students in a medical setting. This has won us many awards.

“For the future, we have introduced AI, technology, and data analysis into the regular curriculum of our medical programmes. The reason is that the graduates, whether they are physicians or nurses, will be working in an environment with hospital management systems whose entire communication will be based on technology. We have to prepare our students to have enough knowledge and skills, which will equip them to work successfully with colleagues who may be from different backgrounds, including engineers or software technicians.