VIDEO: Safe environs possible even amid virus: Professor

Niloufar Saleem, Staff Reporter

We can manage to have a safe environment even in times of Covid-19, insists Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, Gulf Medical University, UAE, during an exclusive Facebook live interview with the Gulf Today team in Dubai.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy is a Professor of Surgery and Medical Education. He is an internationally known medical educator and active Paediatric Surgeon.

Professor Hamdy sheds light on how the Gulf Medical University has adopted various safety options to make sure the students have an enriched learning experience as they enter the new academic year amid major Covid restrictions.

“It’s a unique experience,” says the professor. “Even though Covid has disrupted our lives as well as the educational environment, the University and the staff have managed to adapt to these conditions successfully,” he says.

Keeping the safety of not just the students but also the medical faculty in mind, the University conducts PCR tests in their own labs so everyone interacting with one another is Covid safe.

The professor also pointed out a major progress in handling Covid, which is unique to the University. They train a small, efficient group of students to be Covid control officers, through workshops, so they know how to handle symptoms and situations if anything goes wrong. Which is an absolutely commendable move.

“From the hospitals, lab, and all the sections involved, we have carefully followed all the recommended safety procedures,” he said.

Five hundred and ten new students joined the GMU this year, the highest number so far.

This increase in enrolments signifies the trust the students and the parents have in the institution.

Research being the most important pillar of GMU, the professor stresses on molecular biology, cancer research and the dual PhD programme.

The University also ensures that the graduates are armed with the right competency approach so they can look at developing a global career, after passing from there.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy ended the Live session by telling our viewers to encourage young students to pay more attention to science based subjects, and be strong in the vast field of language and communications, because he feels that growth is entirely based on the confidence a student inherits.

And we absolutely agree with the Professor’s wise comment.