Gulf Medical University Welcomes New Batch of Students at White Coat Ceremony
Ajman, UAE : More than 400 students of Gulf Medical University, the prominent private medical university of the Gulf region, completed their white coats – the mantle of the health profession, and took their Medical Students’ Oath as they were formally inducted into their respective medical courses at the White Coat Ceremony held at the University campus on 5th September 2018.
The ceremony was held for the new students of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, and Associate Degree in Pre-Clinical Sciences, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Imaging Sciences, and Anesthesia Technology.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of GMU, said “Professionalism, Care & Empathy and Trustworthiness are the three core principles of the medical career. How to communicate, connect, interact and feel will play a key role in educating health professionals.”
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder, President Board of Trustees, Gulf Medical University was the chief guest of the White Coat Ceremony. Prof. Hossam Hamdy, presided over the function. The ceremony marked the first step in the healthcare careers of the new students who are now part of GMU’s 80+ nationalities-strong student community.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Thumbay Moideen thanked His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, for his continuous support for Gulf Medical University, which has become an academic beacon and home for pioneering research and innovation, and the place where UAE doctors and medical professionals are qualified to provide the best healthcare.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy formally welcomed the new class of students. Stressing the importance of human communication and interaction in the medical profession, he said, “Medical sciences will always rely on communication between human beings. The patient, the student, the healthcare provider, and the medical educator are all humans. How to communicate, connect and interact and feel will play a key role in educating Health professional.
“We will train you on how to be a better communicator.” He reminded the new students that Professionalism, Care & Empathy and Trustworthiness are the three core principles of their chosen career. He added that Gulf Medical University is internationally leading in education technology development,” he added.
This year, (GMU) launched two new colleges; the Nursing College and College of Healthcare Management and Health Economics, which brings the total number of colleges to six. The University offers 23 accredited courses, with additional courses awaiting accreditation, expected to be added soon. GMU has an active collaboration with a number of prestigious universities around the world as well as world-renowned research institutes.
The Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS), the only private Academic Health System in the region, links the healthcare, medical education, and research functions on its own. Research is an essential strategic direction of GMUAHS. The Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine leads research in the field of cancer biology and immunology, with international collaboration with France, Poland and Korea.
The strategic plans of Gulf Medical University include increasing its global footprint by setting up three new medical university campuses in three different countries and transforming into a research-based university by 2025.
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Over 75 percent of Karnataka’s population obese, overweight: Report
Bengaluru: A new health report has revealed that over 75% of Karnataka's population screened in 2024 is either obese or overweight, highlighting an alarming rise in lifestyle-related health issues.
According to the Health of the Nation 2025 report by Apollo Hospitals, as cited by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, 56% of those screened were diagnosed as obese, while another 21% were classified as overweight.
The report underscores a growing public health crisis, driven by sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and undiagnosed chronic conditions that often do not show visible symptoms. The annual report, which examined health data from over 2.5 million preventive screenings conducted across the Apollo ecosystem in India, reveals that symptom-based healthcare is increasingly insufficient to address these hidden health risks.
In Karnataka, the report found that 28% of the individuals screened were hypertensive, with half of them classified as pre-hypertensive. Diabetes was found in 20% of the population, with an additional 25% falling into the pre-diabetic category. These figures reflect the rising metabolic stress among asymptomatic individuals, many of whom are unaware of their conditions.
Additionally, the report noted that 84% of the screened individuals in the state had low vitamin D levels, which can negatively impact bone health and immunity. Furthermore, 64% exhibited reduced flexibility, affecting musculoskeletal wellness.
Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, emphasised the need for India to shift towards a preventive health culture. "Early screening, personalised interventions, and health education should become integral to our homes, schools, and workplaces," TNIE quoted him as saying.
The report also highlighted several other health threats, including fatty liver disease, post-menopause health risks, and childhood obesity. Of the 2.5 million people screened nationally, 65% had fatty liver with 85% of those cases being non-alcoholic. Heart disease signs were present in 46% of asymptomatic individuals, while post-menopausal women saw a sharp increase in both obesity (from 76% to 86%) and diabetes (from 14% to 40%).
Childhood obesity is also becoming a significant concern, with the report revealing that 28% of college students were either overweight or obese, and 19% showed signs of prehypertension.
Mental health issues, often under-reported, emerged as another area of concern, with 7% of women and 5% of men screened nationwide showing symptoms of clinical depression, particularly among the middle-aged population.
