Gulf Medical University holds 2026 White Coat Ceremony,
marks expansion into
veterinary training
(AJMAN) -
Gulf Medical
University (GMU) recently held its 2026
White Coat Ceremony in
Ajman, formally inducting
new students across its
health sciences programs.
The university said the
latest intake brings the
number of nationalities
represented among its
students since its founding
to 115.
Dr. Thumbay
Moideen, Founder President
of Thumbay Group, attended
as Chief Guest, with GMU
Chancellor Prof. Manda
Venkatramana presiding. In
remarks to students, Prof.
Venkatramana said the
ceremony signals the start
of clinical training and
urged the cohort to approach
their studies with
“curiosity” and “honesty
about what you do not yet
know.”
Students from
Dentistry, Pharmacy,
Nursing, Physiotherapy,
Medical Laboratory Sciences,
Anesthesia Technology,
Medical Imaging Sciences,
Audiology and
Speech-Language Pathology,
Optometry, Healthcare
Management and AI in
Healthcare took their oaths.
Learners from the Doctor of
Medicine, Graduate Entry MD,
Biomedical Science and
Thumbay International
Pathway Program also
participated. The event was
streamed for families unable
to attend.
A separate
session was held for GMU’s
Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine students. Dr.
Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Director
of Animal Health and
Development at the Ministry
of Climate Change and
Environment, presented the
white coats. GMU said it was
the first ceremony of its
kind for veterinary students
in the UAE.
The
university is expanding its
clinical network to include
a veterinary hospital at
Thumbay Medicity, part of a
broader focus on One Health
— linking human, animal and
environmental health in
teaching and practice.
GMU students begin
clinical exposure in their
first year, supported by
Thumbay University Hospital,
Thumbay Rehabilitation
Hospital, Thumbay Labs and
other facilities in the
Thumbay Healthcare network.
Founded in 1998, GMU is
one of the region’s larger
private health sciences
institutions, offering
programs in medicine,
dentistry, pharmacy,
nursing, health sciences,
veterinary medicine,
healthcare management, and
AI in healthcare.
