Ajman, UAE: The College of Medicine at Gulf Medical University (GMU) welcomed its newest cohort at the University’s 29th White Coat Ceremony, held at Thumbay Medicity, marking a significant milestone in the students’ academic and professional journey.
More than 500 students from the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Graduate Entry MD, Thumbay International Pathway Program (HDPCS), and Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS) participated in the ceremony. Donning the white coat marked their first formal step into the community of medical and health professions, symbolizing the trust, responsibility, privilege, and purpose associated with their chosen professions.
The ceremony was graced by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, as Chief Guest, and was presided over by Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University. Prof. Maher Al-Masri, Vice Chancellor, addressed the students and led them in the Professional Pledge, through which they affirmed their commitment to trust, responsibility, integrity, professional conduct, and service to patients and society.
Prof. Salman Yousuf Guraya, Dean of the College of Medicine, together with the College leadership and faculty, joined the students on this important occasion, reaffirming the College’s commitment to guiding, mentoring, and supporting them throughout their academic and professional development.
The occasion was further graced by the presence of Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President – Healthcare Division, Thumbay Group, leadership from Thumbay University Hospital (TUH), and distinguished international academic partners. These included Prof. Kamil Torres, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, Medical University of Lublin, Poland, and Prof. Akmal Sidikov and Prof. Nodirbek Komilov from the Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health, Uzbekistan, reflecting GMU’s strong institutional and international academic partnerships.
The White Coat Ceremony represents much more than the beginning of an academic program. For the students, it signifies the beginning of their transformation into professionals who will be entrusted with the responsibility and privilege of serving, caring for, and advocating for patients, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, integrity, and ethical conduct.
Guided by its philosophy of “Growth Through Innovation,” GMU continues to advance health professions education through an integrated academic health system that brings together education, healthcare, and research. With seven colleges, more than 50 academic programs, and students representing 115 nationalities, the University provides a diverse and globally connected environment for learning and professional development. The occasion also coincided with the initial accreditation of the “Bachelor of Science in Public Health” and “Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology”, further strengthening the College of Medicine’s expanding academic portfolio.
The 29th White Coat Ceremony concluded with students reaffirming their commitment to the values represented by the white coat—professionalism, integrity, compassion, responsibility, and service to humanity—as they embarked on this important new chapter of their journey at the College of Medicine.
