The Second Emirati Conference on Medical Education was organized by the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS), in collaboration with Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Health. The conference, held at the Crescent Building on the UAEU campus in Al Ain from February 10-11, 2024, was inaugurated by several distinguished guests including His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Yousef Bani Yas, Director of the National Qualifications Center and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of NIHS; Professor Dr. Ghaleb Albreiki, Acting Vice chancellor UAEU; His Excellency Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Health Workforce Sector, Health of Department - Abu Dhabi; Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of the Dubai Health and Provost of MBRU; and Dr. Wadeia AbdulRahim, Director of Medical Education and Research Department at the Dubai Health Authority. Also in attendance were medical education directors from institutions and health authorities in the country, deans of medicine from universities, and representatives from the healthcare sector in the UAE.
Dr. Mohammed Al Houqani, Secretary General of the National Institute for Health Specialties, highlighted the conference's significance as a platform for enhancing the scientific level of health professions in the country and improving the quality of higher medical education and specialized training programs. The conference featured 6 workshops and 41 papers in various fields of specialized education.
In his opening speech, Dr. Mohammed Yousef Bani Yas emphasized the importance of medical education in the UAE and praised the NIHS role in the professional development of healthcare workers. He noted that the institute has accredited 56 specialized programs, providing graduates of medical colleges with the opportunity to complete their specialized training in the country at the highest standards.
Dr. Rashed Obeid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Health Workforce Sector at the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, highlighted ongoing efforts to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading global healthcare destination. He emphasized the department's focus on building competencies and experiences in the healthcare sector through programs such as excellence, residency, and fellowship programs in various specialties.
Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali spoke about the importance of the conference as a forum for exchanging experiences and research on the future of medicine and medical education. He highlighted Dubai Health Authority's experience as the first integrated academic healthcare system in Dubai, emphasizing the pillars of care, learning, discovery, and giving.
The conference included 4 scientific sessions over two days, featuring workshops, lectures, and specialized discussion sessions. Topics included future trends in medical education, advanced standards in medical education accreditation, and the evolution of medical education goals and key objectives.
On the second day, sessions focused on health and wellness in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as innovation in teaching, learning, and evaluation. Parallel workshops covered case design, medical writing, short communications, and collaboration on key topics related to medical education leadership, accreditation, program development, and best practices in the UAE.
