Gulf Medical University has opened the Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation at its Ajman campus, establishing a comprehensive training facility that anchors an expanding network of seven specialised simulation centres across medical, dental, physiotherapy, surgical, and veterinary disciplines. The institute aims to standardise skills training and enhance patient safety through high-fidelity clinical scenarios.
Integrated simulation network addresses competency gaps
Gulf Medical University inaugurated the Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation on 1 October 2025, creating a centralised hub for practice-based healthcare education. The facility enables students, residents, and practising clinicians to rehearse clinical scenarios using advanced manikins, task trainers, and simulated clinical environments before encountering real patients.
The institute forms the foundation of what GMU describes as the UAE’s largest integrated healthcare simulation network, comprising seven facilities: the Thumbay Clinical Simulation Centre, Dental Simulation Centre, Physiotherapy Simulation Centre, Thumbay Surgical Skills Centre, and planned facilities for veterinary medicine and Dubai operations.
Evidence-based training methodology deployed
The facility replicates intensive care units, emergency departments, operating theatres, primary care clinics, inpatient wards, and home-care settings. All training sessions undergo digital recording for structured debriefing, allowing learners to analyse and improve clinical performance through objective assessment.
Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, said: “Simulation changes outcomes. It lets our learners make mistakes without harm, learn as teams, and return to the bedside more confident and more prepared. With this institute and our growing network across medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, surgery, and soon veterinary medicine, GMU is setting a national standard for hands-on health-professions education.”
Curriculum extends beyond technical procedures
The training programme encompasses team-based drills, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), crisis resource management, and procedure training. Beyond technical skills, the curriculum addresses communication, ethics, cultural competence, and leadership under clinical pressure.
International partnerships strengthen credibility
GMU maintains accreditation with multiple international bodies, including the American Heart Association International Training Centre, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom MRCP, Emirates Medical Preparedness and Response Programme (Jaheziya), and Health and Safety Institute.
The institute will serve GMU’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes whilst supporting continuing professional development across the Thumbay healthcare network. Future research directions include human factors analysis, AI-assisted training methodologies, and patient safety outcomes assessment.
