On Thursday May 8, 2025, The College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University welcomed its esteemed industry partners during the joint GMU Career Fair-Indursty Partners Meet 2025 event, reinforcing its commitment to building strong academia-industry linkages that empower future pharmacy professionals. The event served as an important forum for connecting pharmacy students and graduates with key industry partners across the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
The gathering brought together the following prestigious lineup representing various domains of the pharmacy profession:
- Al Ain Pharmacy
- Al Khayyat Investment Group (BinSina Pharmacies)
- AlThiqa Pharmacy
- Dubai Police Forensic Toxicology Department
- Julphar
- Manzil Healthcare
- Medicina Pharmacies, Al Manara Group
- Modern Pharmaceutical Company (MPC) Group
- Professional Regulatory Affairs (PRA)
- Thumbay Pharmacy
- Z’Neem Pharmacy
The event featured a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, beginning with the Health Education Leaders Panel, featuring Professor Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, who showcased the wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs available at GMU and highlighted areas in which pharmacy graduates are ahead of the practice or falling behind and discussed strategies to close this gap. A second panel discussion brought together top industry executives featuring Dr. Samir Mahmoud, Director of Patient and Customer at Modern Pharmaceutical Company (MPC) Group, who spotlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in augmenting pharmacy services. The conversation continued with the Human Resources Panel, featuring Ms. Dana Shishani, Director of Human Capital & Organization Development at Julphar. She stressed on the importance of viewing AI as an ally rather than a threat in the workplace. Ms. Shishani further underlined that while technical knowledge forms the foundation of any pharmacy professional’s profile, soft skills remain the key differentiator during recruitment.
To cap off the day, attendees benefited from an in-depth workshop on portfolio building, delivered by Dr. Ahmad El Ouweini, PharmD, BCPS, FCPR-CC, Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr. El Ouweini elaborated on what constitutes a professional portfolio, how to structure it effectively, and how students can leverage it to gain a competitive edge in the job market.
The event stood out as an exceptional opportunity for dialogue, learning, and professional growth. Pharmacy students engaged with industry leaders, explored potential career pathways, and gained firsthand insights into current and future trends in pharmacy practice.