A milestone moment at the 4th SSMC Education Week on 15th November 2025 in Abu Dhabi, as SSMC and Gulf Medical University formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing nursing education, innovation, and workforce development in the UAE.
The MOU was signed by Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, and Dr. Marwan Alkaabi, CEO of SSMC, in the presence of Prof. Selva Titus Chacko, Dean, CoN, GMU, marking a significant step toward deeper collaboration and aligned nursing educational excellence. This partnership sets the foundation for a future-ready healthcare ecosystem—where academic leadership and clinical expertise unite to elevate graduate training, research, and community health impact.
SSMC marked its week-long 4th Education Week under the theme, “In the Year of the Community: The Social Accountability of Healthcare Education,” emphasizing the need to align healthcare training with community needs to ensure relevance, equity, quality, and a future-ready workforce. It hosted a Panel Discussion at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi on “Social Accountability: Building the Medical Workforce of Tomorrow,” The session featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. Marwan Alkaabi, Prof. Ahmed Murad Alraeesi, Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Dr. Abdul Majeed Al Zubaidi, Dr. Mohammad Al Houqani, and Prof. Amjad Mohammad Qandil.
Under Track B: Nursing Education Centre, spearheaded by Dr. Zahra Mohamed, Associate Dean of Nursing Education, SSMC, Dr. Soma Ibrahim Ali, Associate Dean and BSN Program Director at Gulf Medical University, delivered an engaging session on “Mental Health in the Community: Nurses as Advocates.” Participants explored strategies to integrate mental health support into nursing practice, strengthening their professional development and community impact.
This combined expertise highlighted the importance of social accountability in aligning medical education, training, and leadership with the evolving needs of the community, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to make meaningful impacts in healthcare.
