During the last week, the College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University proudly welcomed its 2025 cohort of students across all undergraduate and postgraduate programs; Bachelor of Pharmacy, Diploma in Pharmacy Technician, Master in Clinical Pharmacy, Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development, and Postgraduate PharmD.
The orientation program commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, who inspired students with take-home messages on the central role pharmacists play in the modern healthcare continuum. He also shared encouraging advice on excelling in their academic journey and future careers.
Following the Dean’s address, students and faculty introduced themselves. Then, program directors, Prof. Syed Wasif, Prof. Dr. Dixon Thomas, Dr. Ahmed Thabet, and Dr. Juny Sebastian, presented overviews of the program study plans along with academic advising guidelines.
Dr. Muhamed Abdullatif, Director of the Students Happiness Center, delivered a session on Happiness at GMU, providing insights into the services, opportunities. As well as assessments overview with practical tips for success.
Prof. Dixon Thomas introduced students to the library facilities, the online e-Library portal, campus safety protocols, and highlighted GMU’s unique interprofessional education initiatives.
Senior students also contributed by sharing their personal experiences and valuable insights on students’ life, offering tips on how to navigate and thrive during the first year. This was followed by Dr. Ruth Alex, who provided an introduction to the Learning Management System and Google Calendar.
The orientation also featured important sessions by Prof. Mayssah, Director of the Student Well-being Center, who emphasized student wellness; as well as sessions led by student affairs and registrar departments.
The day concluded with an interactive Q&A session, coffee and networking, and a guided tour of Thumbay University Hospital (TUH), Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM), and the College Laboratories.