The College of Nursing at Gulf Medical University welcomed its new cohort of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program during an Orientation program held on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at Lecture Hall 33, Gulf Medical University.
The Orientation was designed to facilitate students’ transition into University life and familiarize them with their academic programs, faculty members, university services, learning resources, student support systems, quality assurance processes, campus facilities, and clinical learning environment.
In her welcome address, Prof. Selva Titus Chacko, Dean of the College of Nursing, warmly welcomed the new cohort and highlighted the significance of the beginning of their academic and professional journey at Gulf Medical University. She also expressed her appreciation to the Admissions team, Ms. Sherly Ajay, Director of Admissions, and Ms. Jyothi John, for their continuous support and cooperation throughout the admission process and for facilitating the smooth enrollment of the students.
This was followed by an Orientation to the BSN program, conducted by Dr. Soma Ibrahim Ali, Associate Dean of the College of Nursing. The session provided students with an overview of their respective programs, academic structure, key requirements, and expectations as they commenced their studies.
Students were also introduced to the range of academic and administrative services available at GMU. Mr. Aslam Kutty conducted an Orientation to the Registrar’s Office, while Mr. Suraj Sebastian, E-Learning Manager, introduced students to the university’s information technology services and digital learning platforms, including Moodle and Folio. The Library Orientation was conducted by Dr. Shafi Mohammed, familiarizing students with the learning resources and services available to support their academic activities. This was followed by an introduction to the Hospitality Division by its representative, Ms. Eiman Elzain.
A dedicated course orientation was subsequently conducted by the Program Director of the BSN, Dr. Soney M. Varghese, providing students with essential guidance on course requirements, academic activities, and expectations for successful engagement with their studies.
The afternoon sessions included a GMU campus orientation tour led by Dr. Esraa Ismail and Ms. Sienna Marie, giving students the opportunity to become familiar with the university’s academic, learning, and support facilities. Dr. Zeina Mazloum, Director of Student Affairs, then introduced students to the services, activities, and opportunities provided by the Student Affairs Department to enrich their university experience.
An informative session on the Student Wellbeing Center was conducted by the Center’s Director, Prof. Mayssah El-Nayal, who highlighted the range of services available to support students’ wellbeing and promote a positive and supportive university experience throughout their academic journey.
This was followed by an orientation on Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness, conducted by Ms. Sunaina Bijas, an officer from the Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness Unit. The session introduced students to the university’s quality enhancement and institutional effectiveness processes and emphasized the important role of student participation, feedback, and engagement in supporting the continuous improvement of academic programs and the overall student experience.
The orientation program concluded with a Thumbay Hospital Orientation Tour, conducted by Dr. Remya Pillai and Dr. Priya Joseph. The tour provided students with an introduction to the clinical environment and facilities that will contribute to their clinical education, professional development, and preparation for nursing practice.
Overall, the orientation program provided the incoming BSN students with a comprehensive introduction to the College of Nursing, their academic programs, university resources, student support services, quality assurance and institutional effectiveness processes, campus facilities, and clinical learning environment. It also provided an early opportunity for students to interact with faculty and staff and to begin their academic journey with a clear understanding of the expectations, resources, and support available to them at Gulf Medical University.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education
