RAK Medical & Health Sciences University welcomes first MBBS batch

Also present at the event were H.E.Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, UAE, Mr.Syed M. Salahuddin, Managing Director of ETA-Ascon and Star Group and Mr. Essa Abudlla Al Ghurair, Director of Al Ghurair Investments, ETA-Ascon and Star Group.

Addressing a gathering of the university's faculty, students and other officials, Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi set out his vision for enhancing the academic sector of Ras Al Khaimah:
'I am happy to welcome the students of the first batch of the MBBS programme in this esteemed university and am confident that this will add enormous value to the medical profession in the region. Ras Al Khaimah is in a mode of rapid growth and development; its strategic location, community living infrastructure and low cost of living makes it an ideal place to live and study.'

RAK MHSU has been established by the Ras Al Khaimah Human Development Foundation (RAK - HDF), which is a joint venture of Ras Al Khaimah Government, Al Ghurair Investments and ETA Ascon Group, Dubai. RAK MHSU is the fourth medical college in the UAE.

Mr. Syed M. Salahuddin, Managing Director of ETA-Ascon and Star Group said: 'As a leading multi-speciality business group, ETA-Ascon is proud to pledge its support to the growth of the specialised educational sector in the UAE. In line with the economic development of Ras Al Khaimah, initiatives such as this new medical programme, will undoubtedly expand the professional and academic expertise of this Emirate.'

The duration of the MBBS program is five years (10 semesters), followed by one year internship.
The university is presently housed in the complex of George Mason University, and is scheduled to move to its own new premises by end 2008. The Medical College of RAK-MHSU has received Initial Accreditation of its MBBS by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The University is set to introduce several new programmes including the College of Dental Sciences, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing and College of Allied Health Sciences, after obtaining Initial Accreditation for these programs from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the near future.