An online Professional, Academic, and Industry Partner Collaborative Meeting was held on 25 August 2026 between the College of Nursing (CoN), Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, UAE, led by the Dean and faculty members of the College of Nursing, and Prof. Salah Aqtash, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), The Medical Office (TMO), Pure Health, along with Mr. Omar Walid Adas, Education and Training Supervisor, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman (SKMCA). The meeting was convened to explore opportunities for academic collaboration, professional development, and nursing workforce advancement.
The meeting commenced with an introduction to the College of Nursing, its commitment to providing internationally aligned, evidence-based nursing education, and the range of graduate nursing programs offered by GMU. Particular emphasis was placed on the College’s commitment to developing highly competent nursing professionals through advanced specialty education, clinical practice, leadership development, and evidence-based practice.
The following Master’s programs were presented:
- Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing (MSACCN)
- Master of Science in Renal & Dialysis Nursing (MSR&DN)
- Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN)
The two articulated Master’s programs in Adult Critical Care Nursing and Renal & Dialysis Nursing, as well as the Master’s program in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing, were highlighted as valuable opportunities for practicing nurses to develop advanced clinical competencies, specialty expertise, leadership capabilities, evidence-based practice skills, and opportunities for career progression.
Prof. Selva Chacko also highlighted the collaborative engagement of the College of Nursing faculty in the professional development initiatives conducted by SKMCA, particularly through their participation as resource faculty in various educational and professional development programs. This collaboration was acknowledged as an important avenue for strengthening the academic–clinical partnership and supporting the continuing professional development of nurses.
Prof. Salah Aqtash explained that SKMCA has currently committed to a four-year collaboration with RAK University for the training of nurses through various Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing programs and, consequently, is not in a position to sponsor nurses for Master’s programs at GMU at present. However, he expressed his willingness to encourage and motivate nurses within the Pure Health/SKMCA network to consider pursuing the Master’s programs at GMU. He further indicated that nurses could avail themselves of the 30% Industry Partner Scholarship, or a 50% Group Scholarship when five students join a program together.
To facilitate this initiative, GMU requested that a flyer outlining the available Master’s programs and applicable scholarship opportunities be shared and circulated among the SKMCA hospitals and relevant nursing staff.
The discussion also extended to the clinical placement requirements for undergraduate nursing students. It was noted that several universities are currently seeking clinical placement opportunities within SKMCA hospitals, creating increasing demand for available clinical training slots. Prof. Salah Aqtash informed the group that SKMCA is in the process of establishing a committee comprising representatives from the universities seeking clinical placements, with GMU also being requested to nominate a representative to participate in the committee and present the University’s clinical placement requirements.
The CNO, Prof. Salah Aqtash, further clarified that requests for clinical placements would be considered uniformly and equitably, taking into account factors such as patient volume, number of students, available clinical capacity, and overall feasibility. This approach will support the fair and effective allocation of clinical training opportunities among participating universities.
Overall, the meeting provided a valuable platform for open dialogue, exchange of perspectives, and discussion of the concerns and priorities of both organizations. It also provided an opportunity to strengthen existing professional relationships and establish further academic and industry linkages between GMU, Pure Health, and SKMCA. The discussions identified mutually beneficial opportunities for collaboration in graduate nursing education, professional development, clinical education, and nursing workforce development, thereby contributing to the continued advancement of nursing education and practice in the UAE.
