510 New Future Heroes Welcomed to Gulf Medical University in Virtual White Coat Ceremony
The new batches of students of the six colleges under Gulf Medical University (GMU) owned and run by Thumbay Group, were welcomed into their healthcare professions through a white coat ceremony organized by the University, on 1st October 2020, receiving their first white coats as they participated in the time-honored tradition, albeit a virtual one this year, in the wake of the global pandemic.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder, President Board of Trustees, GMU was the chief guest of the ceremony. Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU presided. Also present at the ceremony organized at the University were Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay - Vice President of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group, as well as the Vice Chancellors and Deans of the University.
Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor Academics said that this year the new students numbered 510, representing 50 different nationalities. Those receiving their white coats were students in the first year of various programs: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS), Associate Degree in Pre-Clinical Sciences (ADPCS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.Sc. MLS), Bachelor of Science – Medical Imaging Sciences (B.Sc. MIS), Bachelor of Science - Anesthesia Technology (B.Sc. AT), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics (B.Sc. HME).
Addressing the students, Prof. Hossam Hamdy reminded them that they were making history as the class of 2020, starting their medical and health professions education in the midst of the catastrophic global viral pandemic, COVID-19. Quoting the French philosopher Alain Badiou, he explained that COVID-19, as an event, had disrupted all aspects of our life, creating a new normal. “The next few years at the University are not going to be easy for you. But is it easy to achieve something that is truly meaningful,” he said, adding, “There will be challenges, but there will also be rewards.”
Prof. Hossam Hamdy further reminded the students that the world around them was changing rapidly in terms of communication, travel, treating patients, use of technology etc. “An important competency which will remain unchanged is the communication between human beings. The patients, the students, the healthcare providers and the medical educators are all humans. How to communicate, connect and interact and feel will play a key role in educating health professionals,” he explained, adding that nurturing ethicality and trustworthiness would be part of their learning process at GMU.
Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “Medical practice is no longer a case of a single doctor caring for his or her patients. You are part of a team, bringing in the expertise of a larger group of professionals, working within a healthcare system. Teamwork is the one of the important competency you have to acquire during your studies and beyond. At GMU we have established, for the first time, the Center for Interprofessional Education, Practice and research, the only one in the region.”
He also elaborated on the cutting-edge technologies like 3D learning, Artificial Intelligence and the Distance Learning and Blended Learning methodologies, which are all part of the learning experience at GMU. “We now have 27 accredited programs imparted through the six colleges of GMU. Very soon, the University will have a PhD program and residency programs,” he said.
Thanking Dr. Thumbay Moideen the Founder for the vision, values, leadership, hard work and ethical values of GMU, Prof. Hossam Hamdy stated that GMU now boasted unparalleled reputation in the region, attracting students from over 86 nationalities.
Selected representatives from the new batches of different programs received their white coats from the chief guest as part of the ceremony, as their batch mates joined in virtually from different parts of the world, donning their white coats to take the first step in their journeys as healthcare professionals.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
