A high-level delegation from Dubai Courts visited Dubai Health to gain insights into Dubai’s first integrated academic health system and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Led by H.E. Professor Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts, the delegation included senior officials from Dubai Courts. They were warmly received by Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), along with other senior representatives in Dubai Health.

The visit, held at MBRU, featured a briefing about the evolution of Dubai’s healthcare sector from 1970 to the establishment of Dubai Health. The delegation also toured several research centers and attended part of MBRU’s Cancer Research Conference.

Commenting on the visit, H.E. Professor Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi said: “Our visit to Dubai Health offered valuable insights into how Dubai Health is advancing healthcare, enriching medical education, and developing specialized medical professionals. At Dubai Courts, we firmly believe in collaborating with institutions to promote sustainable development across all sectors, ultimately improving the quality of community services and enhancing well-being.”

“The strategic partnership between government and academic entities is critical to achieving Dubai’s developmental goals. This visit reinforces our commitment to working with organizations that benefit our communities. We are confident that such efforts will enhance Dubai’s status as a global hub for innovation, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Dubai Health and other key stakeholders.”

Dr. Amer Sharif said, “We were honored to welcome H.E. Dr. Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi and the delegation from Dubai Courts. We thank them for their visit, which underscores the importance of collaboration between Dubai Health and various government entities. This visit provided an opportunity to showcase Dubai Health’s journey as an integrated academic health system. By working collaboratively across sectors, we aim to achieve shared goals that benefit the community and enhance the quality of life in Dubai, ultimately upholding our ‘Patient First’ promise.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, welcomed the international crew of Expedition 69, the 69th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), during their UAE tour.

The event took place at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and was attended by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team led by His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC, besides the Dubai Health team, including students and scientists who had been working closely with the MBRSC and Emirati astronaut Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi on research projects aboard the ISS. Dr. Hanan Alsuwaidi, Chief Business Officer of Dubai Health and the UAE’s first flight surgeon, was reunited with the crew.

Expedition 69 showcased the collaborative benefits of space exploration, bringing together seasoned astronauts from around the globe including Roscosmos’s Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin and Andrey Fedyaev, NASA’s Frank Rubio, Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, along with Dr. Al Neyadi, who undertook the longest Arab space mission in history, and Hazza Al Mansoori, the UAE's first astronaut and the Increment Lead of Expedition 69.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, expressed immense delight in welcoming the astronauts. “We are proud to host the distinguished crew of Expedition 69 that includes Emirati astronauts Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori. This historic gathering of all eight astronauts in the UAE is a grand moment for our nation and today’s visit highlights our longstanding relationship with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in our commitment to advancements in science and fostering a knowledge-based economy.

“We are proud of the groundbreaking work and the impact of Emirati astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori, who have inspired our young generation to dream big and believe that the sky is no longer the limit. Their remarkable efforts will shape the future of space exploration,” HE Dr. Sharif said.

His Excellency Al Marri said: “We thank Dubai Health for hosting the crew of Expedition 69 and our astronauts for this event. The collaboration with MBRU and the invaluable contributions of Dr. Hanan Alsuwaidi, the UAE's first flight surgeon, have been fundamental in ensuring the health and safety of our astronauts. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to pioneering medical advancements that not only benefit space exploration but also enhance healthcare on Earth. We hope today’s session inspired the younger generation to pursue space exploration and also instills in them the spirit of human curiosity and resilience that propels us towards a brighter future."

The event offered a unique meet-and-greet opportunity with all eight astronauts of Expedition 69, who returned to earth after a historic space exploration recently. The crew shared anecdotes about their experiences, discoveries, and the bond that developed during the course of their mission. The astronauts also toured MBRU upon the conclusion of the event, spending time at the Simulation Center and the Space Lab and interacting with students from the Space Medicine Club.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Health attended the graduation ceremony of MBRU Class of 2024 on Tuesday, June 25 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 honored 153 graduates from 24 programs offered by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, and the Deanship of Graduate Medical Education.

The 2024 graduating class consisted of nearly 40% young Emiratis and graduates from 27 different nationalities, highlighting MBRU's dedication to Dubai Health's broader vision of advancing health for humanity. This demonstrates MBRU's role as an emerging hub for aspiring healthcare professionals from both the UAE and around the globe.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said: As part of Dubai Health, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences continues to play a key role in fostering the next generation of innovative medical professionals in Dubai, who are equipped to enhance the quality of healthcare services in the city and adapt to future challenges. This mission aligns perfectly with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as a global hub for healthcare and education.”

His Highness conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024 for their achievements and extended his best wishes for their success as they embark on a journey to advance health for humanity

In her welcome address, Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of MBRU Council and Dubai Health Board Member, said: “We dedicate this honorable achievement to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose visionary leadership in enhancing healthcare for the people of the UAE serves as a profound inspiration and has laid the groundwork for our academic journey toward achieving the highest standards in advancing health for humanity.”

She added: “MBRU was founded under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed eight years ago, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the healthcare sector. His wisdom and generosity have led to the establishment of a globally connected university, founded on a vision to create an innovative, integrated healthcare education and research system that benefits the UAE and beyond.”

Addressing the gathering, His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized the importance of courage as the graduates embark on their careers as doctors, nurses, and dentists. He highlighted that every interaction, diagnosis, and decision has the potential to significantly impact lives.

Belhoul also noted the critical role the graduates now play in a field that can transform lives, emphasizing that it is during times of uncertainty that their courage will be most essential.

Drawing from his experience at the Dubai Future Foundation, he acknowledged that uncertainty and the unknown are inherent to the concept of the future. While the future remains unpredictable, he stressed that together, and with the right tools, they can navigate and make the most of the unknown.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, President of MBRU and CEO of Dubai Health said, “It is with great pride that we celebrate the achievements of MBRU's graduating Class of 2024. These exceptional graduates are poised to assume leading roles and responsibilities, not only within the UAE but also on an international scale. As students studying within Dubai Health's integrated academic health system, we are proud that our core values have been instilled throughout their studies that will see them endeavor to always put the patient first in their forthcoming professional careers."

Dr. Meznah Ali Rasheed, the graduation commencement speaker and a future physician, said: “My colleagues and I have chosen to prioritize the well-being of others. Within the walls of hospitals, we have witnessed the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Above all, we have learned what it truly means to be a doctor. My fellow graduates, the world awaits us. We are ready. We are prepared. We are the future.”

MBRU, which leads the learning and discovery missions of Dubai Health, applies a scholarly-driven ethos aimed at advancing the healthcare field and improving patient care.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced the signing of an agreement with Dubai Health to cooperate in the provision of an optimum environment to ensure the health and safety of astronauts, in addition to enhancing innovation in health sciences. The agreement was signed by H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, and H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Health, at the Centre’s headquarters recently.

H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said, “The health and safety of our astronauts are paramount, and this agreement will ensure that they receive the best possible care before, during, and after their missions. In the rapidly evolving space sector, collaboration is the way forward. By integrating our efforts with Dubai Health, we are not only enhancing the well-being of our astronauts but also pushing the boundaries of space healthcare and driving innovation in health sciences. This partnership not only strengthens our capabilities but also underscores the UAE’s commitment to pioneering advancements in space and health technologies.”

H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Health, said, “Emirati astronauts are a source of national pride and a significant asset for the UAE in advancing knowledge, scientific capabilities, as well as raising our great country's profile on a global stage. At Dubai Health, we are proud to play a direct role in ensuring the health and safety of our astronauts by offering an environment for quality healthcare, providing comprehensive health assessments and supporting the monitoring of health during space missions.”

He further commented, “This agreement aligns with our strategic objectives, encompassing key pillars of care, learning and discovery to elevate the standard of care and to advance health for humanity, whilst helping to strengthen our nation’s healthcare and space capabilities.”

The agreement outlines a range of initiatives by MBRSC to ensure the health and well-being of astronauts. In cooperation with Dubai Health, the Centre will conduct comprehensive health assessments for astronauts prior to mission deployment, including medical examinations, screenings, and evaluations to ensure fitness for space travel.

Furthermore, MBRSC will provide astronaut training programs in collaboration with Dubai Health, ensuring that astronauts are adequately prepared for health-related protocols and emergencies, in addition to integration and exchange of health data with healthcare providers for comprehensive astronaut care. Both entities will also work together to enhance medical technologies and methodologies related to space healthcare, fostering continuous improvement.