Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science opens doors in Ras Al Khaimah

Kennedy said:

"We are delighted to welcome our first students to Ras Al Khaimah, and expect their education will lead them toward careers that fulfill the School's mission to improve the nutritional well-being of persons worldwide."

"This new program has been created with an emphasis on the needs of populations in the Gulf and broader region, and to standards identical to those at our Boston campus," Kennedy added.

The partnership between Tufts and EDRAK is a unique collaboration that is the result of Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi's, selection of Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy to help fulfill his vision that RAK be the regional hub for education and health care.

The one-year program offers a degree identical in stature to the masters degrees earned at Tufts' Friedman School in the United States and is taught by the same faculty. Instruction is provided through a "hybrid" learning model, a combination of ten-day residency sessions held three times over the course of one year, and computer-facilitated lectures and participation when students work from home in between the residencies in RAK.

"This hybrid learning model is the perfect opportunity for me to gain more formal and rigorous nutrition education from a top nutrition school, while continuing my full-time work on micronutrient supplementation programs in Kyrgyzstan," said student Elizabeth Lundeen, Program Manager for the Swiss Red Cross working in Kyrgyzstan. The master's programme in Ras Al Khaimah has attracted students from several countries, including Egypt, Morocco and Qatar.

Tufts University's Dr. Lynne Ausman, the Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Professor in International Nutrition, is in Ras Al Khaimah teaching the new students. , "Countries in the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa have the same nutrition-related chronic diseases as in the US. There are individuals living with food insecurity and malnutrition while many others are suffering from obesity and co-morbidities of diabetes and heart disease. The solutions are complex but economics, behavior modification, and nutrition are key components to addressing chronic disease," she said.

"Our master's program provides a strong foundation in nutrition and nutritional biochemistry as well as important policy components including food policy fundamentals and monitoring & evaluation of nutrition programs. Graduates of the program are expected to work in government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in the rapidly expanding corporate service sectors, and with international organizations, including the Untied Nation's agencies and regional development organizations," added Ausman.

She said that the students graduating from Ras Al Khaimah will have the option to pursue the Doctorate degree offered by the School in US.

"We are very excited about bringing a world-class program in nutrition to Ras Al Khaimah, especially from a renowned university like Tufts. We hope to serve students, not only from the UAE, but from the entire region. It is wonderful to see students from various health-related fields participating in the program and we expect to have a student strength of 60 in two years," said Dr. Parikh.

Dr. Parikh added that Ras Al Khaimah's partnership with Tufts will also see the launch of several short courses and certificate programs for health care professionals as part of Continuing Professional Education in areas of present and growing concern to the region.

Dr. Ausman and fellow faculty member, Dr. Paul Giguere, the lead designer of the hybrid learning system are hosting open houses in the Emirates and will demonstrate the computer-facilitated learning and answer questions about the program and career opportunities. An open house programme will be held at the Al Maha Rotana in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, March 24 from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is the only independent school of nutrition in the United States. The school's centers, which focus on questions relating to famine, hunger, poverty, and communications, are renowned for the application of scientific research to national and international policy.