Gulf Medical University celebrates 28 years of excellence in medical education and healthcare
Mangalore Today News Network
Ajman, Nov 12, 2026: Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, celebrated its 28th anniversary with a gathering of university leadership, faculty, staff, students and alumni, highlighting its journey in medical education and healthcare.
The celebration, led by Chief Guest Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, brought together students born in Thumbay hospitals, alumni who later joined the institution as professionals, and their children who are now studying at the university.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Thumbay Moideen said it was a proud moment to see generations of families connected with the institution, from those born in its hospitals to alumni who returned to work within its healthcare network and their children pursuing education at GMU. He thanked the UAE’s Rulers, his family, team and supporters for their contributions to the university’s growth.
Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Chancellor of GMU, said the university’s 28-year journey reflected its commitment to excellence in medical education, research, healthcare and innovation. He highlighted its achievements in international accreditations, global rankings, research and academic expansion, adding that the institution would continue strengthening its global presence. He also credited the faculty, staff and students for the university’s progress.
During the event, Dr. Thumbay Moideen and Prof. Venkatramana felicitated the newly elected members of the Student Council Executive Board.
The anniversary comes amid a series of international recognitions for GMU. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, the university entered the 1001–1200 band and secured the first position globally for International Outlook, scoring 99.4 among 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories. It is also the only specialised medical and health sciences university in the UAE featured in this edition.
GMU secured the 125th position in the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2027 and ranked first in the region for international student ratio. Its College of Pharmacy was placed in the 351–400 band in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
The university also secured the 88th position in the THE Arab University Rankings 2027. In June 2026, it received institutional accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), valid until 2031, after meeting all ten European Standards and Guidelines without conditions.
Founded in 1998 by Thumbay Group, GMU now operates seven colleges offering 45 accredited programmes. Its student community represents more than 117 nationalities, while its faculty members come from 56 countries. More than 5,000 graduates of the university are working in healthcare systems across the world.
The university is supported by Thumbay Group’s academic healthcare network, which includes seven academic hospitals with more than 3,100 training beds and over 75 international university partnerships. Thumbay Healthcare has also received Joint Commission International (JCI) Enterprise Accreditation, becoming the first healthcare group in the UAE and one of only five groups worldwide to achieve the distinction.
Thumbay University Hospital, the region’s largest private academic hospital, has treated patients from more than 175 nationalities.
GMU offers programmes in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, health sciences, management, artificial intelligence in healthcare and veterinary medicine, with clinical training supported by Thumbay Group’s academic healthcare network.