Queen’s is assisting in the development of the MBR-UMHS and the College of Medicine, including course and curriculum development, recruitment and selection of high quality academic and professional service staff, plus student selection and admissions.

DHCC is working closely with Queen’s to devise and implement a strategy that addresses the healthcare education, training and research needs of Dubai and other regional communities.

Following the announcement, Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City, said: “The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences’ objective is to advance healthcare in the UAE by developing human capacity, graduating medical professionals to the highest level of skills and expertise and fostering world-class research. The strategic partnership with Queen’s University will help deliver on our mission.”

In welcoming the partnership, Professor Patrick Johnston, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s, said: “I am both delighted and excited about today’s announcement, in which Queen’s will partner Dubai Healthcare City to develop the new University of Medicine and Health Sciences, including the College of Medicine. We see this as part of a long-term partnership and collaboration in education and research, with mutually beneficial outcomes for both partners.

“It is an extremely important project, where our longstanding experience in this field will make a major contribution, as an international partner, to deliver a project that addresses the healthcare education, training and research needs of Dubai and other regional communities.”

While in Dubai to support Northern Ireland companies at Arab Health, Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s then Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “The promotion of the quality of Northern Ireland’s higher education capability is high on the agenda of the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategy and through our growing links developed by Invest Northern Ireland’s local team in Dubai, with the United Arab Emirates, I am delighted that Queen’s has been chosen as a partner for Dubai’s new University of Medicine and Health Sciences.”