Daijiworld Media Network - UAE (SP)
Ajman, Jul 21: Prof Gita Ashok Raj has taken charge as the Provost of Gulf Medical University in Ajman. She becomes the first lady to hold this prestigious assignment in a medical university in UAE.
Prof Gita Ashok Raj, Provost, Gulf Medical University
The first lady provost being congratulated by the founder president of Gulf Medical University Thumbay Moideen.
Gulf Medical College, which has been offering quality medical education for the last decade, has evolved into a university – Gulf Medical University (GMU), with effect from the 1st July, 2008. The institution was granted the university status following a decree (number 143 of 2008), issued by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific research, UAE. The university is promoted and managed by Thumbay Group.
Elucidating the challenges that lie ahead of her as the provost of a medical university, Prof Gita said that her priority is to enhance three sectors – medical education, healthcare services and research activities at the university. Various programmes at the under graduate and graduate levels will be implemented and we will give special emphasis on continuing medical education programmes, she said.
When asked about this appointment, she said, “personally for me this is the most prestigious post in academia. With all humility I say that I have become a role model for many women in this profession”. She did her post graduate studies in Pathology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. She held other international assignments before coming to Gulf Medical College. A Committed pathologist, Prof Gita has great passion for teaching and research especially in bone tumors, bone transplantation and joint diseases. Prof Gita continues to hold the post ofthe dean, Gulf Medical College.
Programmes offered at GMU:
GMU is constantly endeavoring to initiate new programs and courses, that are relevant to the needs of the region, mentioned Prof Gita Ashok Raj. For the first time in the region, we are introducing Pharm D. Program at our university. The Gulf Pharmacy College is offering this programme to men and women students of all nationalities and will begin in the forthcoming academic year. Similarly, the DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) program is awaiting approval from the ministry of higher Education & scientific research, UAE.
At GMU we are not just producing professionals in different disciplines, but our endeavor is to encourage students of various disciplines to ‘study together and work together’. This will stimulate them and enable them to learn and work together as a team while delivering healthcare services in their career.
Research activities at GMU:
Prof Gita Ashok Raj went on to add that GMU will give greater importance to education as well as research. The mission of GMU is to pursue excellence in biomedical research that shall have an impact on the education and the outcome of clinical care. We hope to ignite the minds of young professionals to work constantly towards upgrading themselves in this ever expanding field of medicine. We wish to collaborate with other leading regional and international institutions to promote research activities on topics relevant to this region.
The most crucial imperatives to fulfill the mission of GMU are not only nurturing our own faculty but also introduction of our graduate programs. These two goals are inextricably entwined and one cannot move forward without the other, said Prof Gita. Graduate students form the core “working force” of the research community. GMU aims at attracting the best students to its colleges and provide them with an outstanding environment and educational opportunities, she stated.
The Gulf Medical University in Ajman is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning; it serves UAE nationals and international students who seek globally recognized medical education. It is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates.