In line with the “We the UAE 2031” Vision, which aspires to transform the country into a global hub for innovation, knowledge, and sustainability, Gulf Medical University (GMU) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering robust academia-industry collaboration. Central to this vision is narrowing the gap between educational outcomes and labor market demands. GMU has strategically aligned its mission of “Pursuing excellence in education, healthcare, and research with a focus on innovation, sustainability, social accountability, and strategic partnerships” to support these national priorities. This cross roads with the pharmaceutical industry’s goal of partnering with academia to develop a skilled, locally empowered pharmacy workforce. As a step forward, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, the university signed a Training Agreement with Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (JULPHAR) PJSC Represented by Dr. Malik Metahri, Chief Technical Officer; Mr. Juergen Lauterbach, Chief Corporate Development and Strategic Officer; and Dr. Rasha Ahmed, Quality development and technical capabilities head of department. The visit commenced with a meeting between the JULPHAR delegation and Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. Discussions centered on the execution of joint industry-led courses that align with the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) outcome-based KPIs, highlighting the importance of integrating student training and professional development into pharmaceutical industry environments. This was followed by, a meeting with Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Acting Chancellor of GMU, who emphasized the critical role of academia-industry collaboration in elevating healthcare standards and producing practice-ready graduates. Then, the agreement was officially signed in the presence of the deans of all colleges at Gulf Medical University, reflecting a unified institutional commitment to fostering impactful partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry. The visit concluded with a tour of GMU’s advanced research facilities, including the Sterile Compounding Laboratory at the College of Pharmacy and the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM).
Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean, College of Pharmacy, commented “This partnership with JULPHAR reflects our commitment to producing practice-ready pharmacy professionals equipped with both academic knowledge and hands-on industry experience. By aligning our curriculum with national and global benchmarks, and collaborating closely with industry leaders, we are ensuring our graduates are not just employable, but are true contributors to the UAE’s healthcare advancement.”