• The collaboration will witness pioneering clinical trials, with a particular focus on early-phase investigations and innovative therapeutic approaches
  • As part of its efforts to nurture students with early in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector, DoH will support ADU through participating in events focused on healthtech education

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: During GITEX Global Week 2023, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi University (ADU), one of the region’s leading academic institutions, to elevate joint collaboration in education, life sciences and clinical research. Reinforcing the Emirate’s position as a leading destination for innovation, both parties will exchange knowledge and expertise across the healthcare and academic fields to advance Abu Dhabi’s healthtech ecosystem.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director, Research and Innovation Centre of DoH and Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU).

Through the MoU, DoH and ADU aim to foster an innovative healthcare ecosystem with focus on supporting healthtech start-ups by providing access to health technology assessments and ecosystem partners. The MoU will also involve mutual sharing of essential resources, such as cutting-edge laboratories, health data, expert networks, and active participation from both students and faculty in leading research projects.

As part of its efforts to nurture students with early in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector, DoH will support ADU through participating in events focused on healthtech education. Furthermore, ADU will facilitate the integration of its students into the constantly evolving healthcare innovation ecosystem.

H.E. Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director, Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi continues to forge partnerships with key stakeholders from across various fields to exchange knowledge and expertise and lead distinguished research which will ultimately contribute to the enhancement of healthcare outcomes. Through this partnership, we reinforce our commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders by providing students with early access to healthcare knowledge and real-world experience – empowering them to drive transformative change from the very beginning of their educational journey.”

The collaboration will witness pioneering clinical trials, with a particular focus on early-phase investigations and innovative therapeutic approaches. Both parties will establish sustainable training programmes not limited to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines which are designed to empower healthcare research clinicians in emerging areas of clinical trials that leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, and analytics. Training sessions on clinical trials ethics will be open for students and community member to raise awareness and encourage participation in the Emirate’s ongoing clinical trials.

Professor Ghassan Aouad, Abu Dhabi University Chancellor, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with a prestigious partner such as the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. We continue to work with our strategic partners to offer our students unique cross-learning experiences and equip them with the 21st century skills and resources they need to succeed in their future. At ADU, we are committed to investing in scientific research opportunities that foster innovation and creative thinking among faculty and students. Through national and global strategic partnerships, we have advanced our research capabilities to commercialise innovations and startups.”

With aim of upskilling healthcare professionals and students in genomic and precision medicine, DoH and ADU will work together to develop accredited genetic counselling educational courses. Based on this agreement, students from ADU’s College of Health Sciences will have access to leading internship opportunities from within the Emirate’s healthcare sector to obtain hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge practices in the field.

The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is inviting guests to visit its stand and view the latest healthcare technologies and innovations of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector. DoH is participating under the unified umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Government Enablement, located in Sheikh Saeed Hall, Hall 19/B20 from 16 October 2023 to 20 October 2023.

To learn more about the DoH’s participation at GITEX Global Week 2023, please visit www.doh.gov.ae/en/news

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About Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH):

The Department of Health – (DOH) is the regulatory body of the Healthcare Sector at the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in Healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population. DOH defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system. In addition, DOH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforce standards, and encourages adoption of world – class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate. DOH also drives programmes to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

For more information visit www.doh.gov.ae

Media Contacts
Weber Shandwick for Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Sara Farrah
Sfarrah@webershandwick.com

About Abu Dhabi University:

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is one of the region’s leading academic institutions, translating the UAE Government’s National Agenda to deliver internationally accredited academic programs and world-class research.

Established in 2003, with campuses across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain, the University serves over 7,000 students from over 100 nationalities. The University is home to five colleges across different disciplines including arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, and law, while offering a diverse range of over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs.

According to the Times Higher Education Rankings (THE), ADU ranks second in the UAE for its research influence and citations, and it is among the top three universities in the UAE, while holding the number one position in the teaching pillar. Additionally, THE Rankings has recognized the University’s College of Business as the number one best college in the UAE. 

The University has made an impressive debut in THE Young University Rankings 2023, ranking in the 58th position globally among the world's best universities under 50 years or younger. Furthermore, the University came in 59th place in the prestigious THE Asia Ranking and was ranked first in the UAE for graduate employability as per the THE Rankings.

Parallelly, ADU ranks in the 580th place globally, according to the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings and received a 5-star rating in the 2022 QS Stars rating.

As a young institution, ADU marks 20-years of academic excellence through its ongoing contribution to the academic sector in the UAE and across the globe. Furthermore, ADU continues to empower faculty and students with state-of-the-art resources, facilities, and learning opportunities that foster innovation and support research-based problem-solving. The University maintains strong international collaborations with leading academic institutions and public and private sector organizations, with institutional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges' Senior College and University Commission (WASC).

Media Contacts
Weber Shandwick for Abu Dhabi University
Sara Farrah
Sfarrah@webershandwick.com