Chancellor, Gulf Medical University
Professor & Consultant Surgeon, Thumbay Hospital
MS, FRCSEd, FRCS(Glasg)
Prof. Manda Venkatramana has been a cornerstone of the Thumbay Group since 2002 and is the current Chancellor of Gulf Medical University (GMU) as of September 2025. His extensive career includes serving as Vice Chancellor for Academics for over 8 years, and as Dean of the College of Medicine for more than 15 years. He also held the role of Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for the Thumbay University Hospital Complex in Ajman.
A graduate of Saurashtra University in India, Prof. Manda is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, UK. He is a Professor of Surgery and a Consultant Surgeon at Thumbay Hospital, Ajman. Additionally, Prof. Manda holds certifications as a ‘Certified Reviewer’ by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) for program accreditations in the UAE, and as a ‘Certified Surveyor’ for accrediting teaching hospitals and residency programs by the National Institute of Health Specialties (NIHS).
Prof. Manda played a pivotal role in the development of the UAE’s national competency framework for medical education, ‘EmiratesMed.’ He has been instrumental in securing international accreditations for GMU and its programs, introducing innovative student-centered pedagogies and assessment strategies, and launching groundbreaking programs, the first of their kind in the country and region.
Under his leadership, GMU established the American Heart Association (AHA) Accredited Life Support Training Center, where both Basic and Advanced Life Support Training courses are offered. As DIO, he oversaw the institutional accreditation of Thumbay University Hospital Complex in 2023 and was key in the development of medical and dental residency programs.
An award-winning educator, Prof. Manda is the recipient of multiple ‘Best Teacher Awards,’ chosen by students for his passion and excellence in teaching. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to several academic books. His leadership continues to propel GMU toward becoming a leading medical university in the region.