GMU Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy Wins UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention’s Award
Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University was awarded the Ministry of Health & Prevention’s Award for Innovative Learning Technology at the Healthcare Innovation Awards ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP), held at the MOHAP Training and Development Center in Sharjah, on 13th February, 2020.
The award was conferred to Prof. Hossam for developing Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), significantly enhancing students’ skills and learning experience.
“VPL is the most sophisticated simulator with the highest fidelity using artificial intelligence and problem-based learning in medical education.
The Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) technology of Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, developed by the Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy - internationally known medical educator and active pediatric surgeon - was recognized as ‘one of the most innovative technologies in life sciences’, at the Healthcare Innovation Awards ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP)” an official press statement from the university stated.
Developed for training the medical and health professions students of GMU, Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) is the most sophisticated simulator with the highest fidelity using artificial intelligence and problem-based learning in medical education. It exposes future healthcare professionals to a wide range of patient problems involving males and females of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds, so that they practice their clinical skills in a virtual setting before being introduced to actual clinical settings.
As a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) application, VPL invokes critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communicational skills amongst students. The program gives the students authentic medical problems including history and clinical examination, investigations, lab results, vital signs, X-rays, and interaction with virtual patients to obtain information that would help them correctly identify medical problems of each case and prescribe treatments.
Expressing delight at the prestigious MOHAP recognition won by VPL, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “It is wonderful to see innovative training methodologies used at Gulf Medical University being recognized at the regional and global levels. The Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) is the only simulation which captures the patient’s emotional reactions to the learner’s approach of communications with the virtual patient. Because it is highly authentic and extends beyond the simple acquisition of knowledge, I believe that Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) will gradually replace the traditional less authentic forms of Problem Based Learning.”
GMU is the first university in the Middle East region to introduce VPL, which is making a huge difference to the overall learning experience of the students, arming them with additional skills and insights to evolve as healthcare professionals of the future. VPL has won international acclaim earlier, securing top positions regionally and globally at the Reimagine Education Conference & Awards in the USA, in the Creative Learning and E-learning categories.
Virtual patient learning can be used in two modes: a ‘learning’ mode and an ‘evaluation’ mode. The learning mode is developed to stimulate student-centered learning and is linked to a large number of resources such as radiological images, laboratory results, videos, and management guidelines. The evaluation mode can be used for the purpose of evaluating students’ decision-making and communication skills.
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Iran war halts Marathwada turmeric exports, prices drop in domestic market
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has halted turmeric exports from Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, causing domestic prices to crash from Rs 16,500 to Rs 13,000 per quintal.
Shiv Sena MLC Hemant Patil on Tuesday said that turmeric cultivated in Marathwada is exported to the Gulf and African countries, but the war that broke out last month has halted exports completely.
Turmeric is a cash crop cultivated in nearly 2 lakh acres in Hingoli district, and the Vasmat variety received a Geographical Identification (GI) tag in 2024.
Containers of turmeric from Hingoli and adjoining regions are shipped out of the country from Tamil Nadu and Kerala after processing, said Patil, who also heads the Balasaheb Thackeray Turmeric Research and Training Centre in Hingoli.
"Hingoli, Nanded, Wardha, Parbhani, Yavatmal and Washim are the turmeric belts in Marathwada. These districts produce nearly 25 lakh tonnes of the crop. The land under turmeric cultivation in Hingoli district alone is around 2 lakh hectares," he said.
Prakash Soni, a turmeric trader from Hingoli, said the Iran war has not only completely halted the exports, but the price of the produce in the domestic market has also taken a hit.
"Before the war, turmeric was being sold at Rs 16,500 per quintal. The price has now reached Rs 13,000. The price will drop further if the war continues," he said.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India exported turmeric worth USD 341.54 million in 2024-25, with Maharashtra alone accounting for USD 155.35 million.
The produce was exported to Bangladesh, the UAE, the US, Malaysia and Morocco.
