HCT Partners with Daman to develop new cadre of health insurance professionals

HCT and Daman signed an agreement last night, signifying the watershed partnership. The agreement was signed by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology and Mr. Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Daman.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the parties have agreed to establish a body to be called Daman Institute for Health Economics, which will beled by a newly appointed Daman Dean of Health Economics. It is envisaged that the Institute will work within HCT and the community to review, design, and develop learning and development programs related to health insurance with the aim to support the development of Daman employees and to attract UAE nationals, including HCT students, to the health insurance industry.

The Daman Institute for Health Economics will also be engaged to conduct research into health economy with the aim to establish a repository of research information on health economics and other related topics.

Furthermore, as part of the agreement the parties will work closely together to establish a wide range of applied and industry relevant training and education courses such as:
• Professional development programs in fields such as, Management & Leadership, Risk Management and Health Economy;
• Professional accredited certification programs in Health Insurance, Technical Underwriting and Data Analysis;
• Workshops and seminars focusing on the health care industry;
• Thought leadership forums to enhance knowledge among experts in health economics.

As part of the agreement, HCT and Daman will also consider the development of a two-year academic program in health insurance economy for UAE Nationals (high school graduates/HCT Foundation students), as well as investigating new technologies and business approaches and the sponsorship of HCT students in health-related streams offering internships and project support at Daman.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, welcomed the agreement as part of an exciting new partnership between HCT and Daman. "We are very pleased to be collaborating with an industry leader such as Daman, which will result in career-oriented programs to meet the specific needs of the local economy, as well as providing the highest quality education opportunities for young Emiratis so that they can become valuable members of their communities," Dr. Kamali said.

"Our partnership with Daman will result in developing HCT studentswith the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute effectively to the nation and to reach their full potential and give new health insurance graduatesan unparalleled advantage in the workplace," Dr Kamali added.

Mr. Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Daman said: "It is a great pleasure to be partnering with the prestigious Higher Colleges of Technology to provide a unique education opportunity for UAE nationals in health insurance and economics."

"Educating young Emiratis and developing their skills in health insurance has been at the forefront of our Emiratisation strategy. And today with HCT, we are creating Daman Institute for Health Economics as an integrated education and knowledge platform to enable Emiratis to lead this sector and continue to use its research repository to support their future careers." Mr. Al Qubaisi continued.