Thumbay Group enters 30th year in UAE, expands global scademic healthcare vision
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru/Ajman, Aug. 14, 2026: Thumbay Group, founded by renowned entrepreneur and healthcare visionary Dr. Thumbay Moideen in 1997, has entered its 30th year of operations in the United Arab Emirates, marking nearly three decades of growth from a pioneering medical education initiative into one of the region’s leading academic healthcare conglomerates.
The group’s journey began when Dr. Moideen was invited by the ruling family of Ajman to establish a private medical college, a rare opportunity for an expatriate entrepreneur at the time. This led to the establishment of Gulf Medical College in 1998, which later evolved into Gulf Medical University (GMU)—now regarded as the Gulf region’s leading private medical university.
Today, GMU comprises seven colleges offering more than 50 accredited programmes and hosts around 5,000 students representing over 111 nationalities. The university maintains academic and research collaborations with more than 70 international institutions and invests nearly AED 10 million annually in research grants.
Over the years, Thumbay Group has built one of the Middle East’s largest private academic healthcare networks, encompassing hospitals, clinics, medical centres, pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories. The group’s healthcare facilities have treated over 19 million patients from 175 nationalities and facilitated more than 100,000 deliveries.
A key component of the group’s healthcare ecosystem is Thumbay Medicity in Al Jurf, Ajman, a 25-acre integrated healthcare and education hub. The facility houses the 350-bed Thumbay University Hospital, recognised as the region’s largest private academic hospital, along with specialised dental and rehabilitation hospitals. The medicity attracts nearly 15,000 visitors daily.
As part of its expansion plans, Thumbay Group has recently launched several major projects, including a 120-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital in Sharjah Healthcare City, the Thumbay Veterinary Teaching Hospital and College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Thumbay International Research Centre dedicated to advanced medical research and precision medicine.
The group is also planning Thumbay Medicity Dubai, a large-scale healthcare project expected to generate around 1,000 jobs. In addition, it has introduced UAE-first academic programmes in longevity medicine in collaboration with Switzerland’s Geneva College of Longevity Science.
Through its Thumbay International Pathway Programme, students can pursue foundation studies in the UAE and complete clinical training at partner institutions across Europe, earning internationally recognised degrees.
Prestigious Recognitions
Dr. Thumbay Moideen was conferred the Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka’s second-highest civilian honour, in October 2024. In January 2026, he received the New Year Award from the Academy of General Education, Manipal, jointly with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He has also been awarded five honorary doctorates by universities across three continents in recognition of his contributions to healthcare, education and business.
Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Moideen said, “What started in 1997 is now an iconic company in the United Arab Emirates.”
Looking ahead, Thumbay Group aims to establish the world’s largest network of medical education centres, guided by its vision of “Growth through Innovation.”
Currently, the group operates 26 brands across 15 business sectors, employs around 4,000 people, and has committed more than AED 60 million through its Care & Share scholarship programme.