by ashokaib | Oct 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
A joint coordination meeting was held between Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) team tasked with preparing the GCC Pavilion and Gulf Weeks activities accompanying the 46th Gulf Summit, scheduled to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain in early December. The meeting was chaired by Dr Abdulrahman Yousif Ismail, Vice President for Support Services and Institutional Support at AGU, and attended by representatives and officials from the university. Discussion focused on finalising arrangements to ensure the success of these events and achieve their intended objectives. The activities are set to be held at AGU from 23 to 30 November.
The meeting took place at the university’s headquarters in Manama. The General Secretariat team was led by Professor Waleed Al-Hamoud, overseeing the GCC Pavilion, and Professor Salwa Al-Qarni, managing Gulf Weeks. Participants explored avenues for organisational cooperation, including the university’s proposal to host a lecture on the joint efforts of GCC states to achieve water security within the framework of the Unified Water Strategy 2035. Additionally, they discussed organising a panel discussion for GCC students on AGU as a model of regional educational integration.
Highlights of Gulf Weeks activities, as proposed by the General Secretariat, were reviewed. These include introducing the GCC and its achievements, promoting digital cooperation among GCC countries, advancing Gulf educational integration aligned with sustainable development goals, establishing unified Gulf regulations for empowering persons with disabilities, and the role of Gulf electrical interconnection in enhancing energy security and reducing emissions.
The GCC Pavilion will be located at the Bahrain National Museum from 13 November to 16 December, in conjunction with the Gulf Summit. The importance of organising student visits to learn about the GCC’s journey was affirmed, along with encouraging university student participation in the GCC General Secretariat Pavilion.
It is worth noting that established in 1980 and administered by GCC member states, AGU exemplifies successful Gulf cooperation. Its institutional identity is founded on human and environmental health, serving as an academic beacon to development and shaping the future. The university’s mission is to build competitive competencies through distinguished education and innovative scientific research within a dynamic academic environment. By fostering effective partnerships, it aims to meet the needs of the GCC states and promote sustainable development.
by ashokaib | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has established the organising committee of the Medical Club for the 2025-2026 academic year, overseen by Dr Abdullah Al-Saleh. The club will serve as an effective platform, enabling students from all academic years to engage in medical activities through workshops, hands-on experiences, and interactive events.
This formation aligns with AGU’s vision to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical skills, under the slogan "Medicine Beyond the Textbook." The goal is to foster collaboration, broaden students’ perspectives, and stimulate passion for various medical specialties, ensuring every student has the opportunity to grow and contribute to the advancement of the medical field. The committee members include Noura Al-Khulaifi as Head, Khalid Al-Shammari as Co-Head, Nooreya Al-Awaidh as Secretary, Roaa Al-Rasbi as Activities Coordinator, and Zainab Al-Jasim as Media Manager.
Dr Abdullah Al-Saleh, Head of the Microbiology and Immunology Department and Assistant Professor at the College, underscored that the Medical Club continually strives to provide exemplary scientific services and academic activities that enhance students’ experiences and elevate their academic and professional capabilities. Forming the new committee reinforces the role of students in university life. The club serves as a vital platform for innovation, interaction, and leadership development. It also offers a supportive environment for cultivating teamwork and volunteerism, acting as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, thereby enriching students’ academic and personal growth.
Established as a student-centred platform, the Medical Club endeavours to enhance practical knowledge through workshops and clinical simulations. It encourages collaboration among students across different academic years to facilitate exchange of experiences, deepening understanding of medical specialties through activities that connect theory with real-world practice, enhancing students' professional readiness.
Registration for the club is open until Wednesday, 29 October, through the following link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoqOIWpl0YvRH-79IffbadM9B62tW39eUTEUh1csyxm3ZZvg/viewform
by ashokaib | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
A Problem-Based Learning (PBL) workshop on facilitation, assessment and feedback skills organised by the Department of Medical Education at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (AGU), successfully concluded as part of the college’s initiative to enhance faculty teaching capabilities.
During the opening session, Dr Mohamed Mostafa Al-Eraky, Head of the Department of Medical Education, affirmed the significance of PBL and student immersion in clinical and community health cases. He explained that PBL fosters inquiry, self-directed learning, and self-assessment, besides teamwork skills in small-group settings.
Dr Al-Eraky stated, "PBL facilitators must develop strong facilitation skills to optimise this educational approach. The primary aim of this workshop is to enable participants to develop and refine their PBL teaching skills."
The workshop featured presentations by Professor Hani Salem Atwa and Assistant Professor Dr Archana Prabu Kumar from the Department of Medical Education, Professor Mohamed Hany Shehata from the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Dr Abdullah Ismail Abdullah, Head of the Department of Surgery. The training covered facilitation skills, including an overview of PBL, the essential skills for guiding PBL sessions, a demonstration of an initial teaching session, followed by reflection and critique.
On the second day, the focus shifted to assessment and feedback. The workshop included discussion of a second teaching demonstration with subsequent reflection, critique, and an explanation of student evaluation mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on delivering effective, structured feedback.
The workshop witnessed active participation from attendees, who demonstrated keen interest in improving their PBL facilitation skills. They exchanged insights on overcoming challenges associated with implementing this approach in medical education and expressed appreciation for the diverse scientific and practical content offered by the workshop.
by ashokaib | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
The closing ceremony of the International Medical Education Conference (IMEC–ICME 2025), hosted by the International Medical University (IMU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, announced that the next conference ICME 2027 will be held at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in collaboration with Riphah International University, Pakistan. This announcement follows days after the signing of a partnership agreement aimed at strengthening international academic collaboration in medical education between the two. The partnership will provide a platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge among academics, researchers, and professionals, besides the joint organisation of the international conference.
The collaboration between AGU and Riphah International University underscores both institutions' commitment to advancing medical education, enhancing quality assurance and accreditation systems, and promoting innovation and social accountability, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The two universities are currently working to develop a platform for interaction among global experts in medical education and to establish joint educational programmes such as forums, lectures, training workshops, and research projects. Hosting ICME 2027 in Bahrain marks a qualitative milestone, as it will be the first time the conference takes place within the Gulf region.
His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al-Fuhaid, President of AGU, and Mr Hassan Muhammad Khan, Chancellor of Riphah International University, reiterated their shared commitment to making ICME 2027 a distinguished global event that fosters excellence, collaboration, and sustainable impact in medical education.
Representing Riphah International University at the conference announcement were Prof Dr Yawar Hayat Khan, Prof Dr Raheela Yasmin, and Prof Dr Rehan Ahmed Khan. From AGU, the team included Dr Mai Sater, Professor Khabab Elhag, and Dr Archana Prabu Kumar. Both institutions reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening regional and international cooperation in health education. The announcement was attended by a select group of educators, academics, and healthcare professionals from around the world.
by ashokaib | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), participated in the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Presidents and Directors of Universities and Higher Education Institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held at Al Jouf University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting brought together Their Excellencies and distinguished leaders of Gulf universities, with the participation of the GCC General Secretariat.
The meeting discussed a range of vital topics considered a priority for the advancement of higher education across the GCC. Attendees reviewed the outcomes and recommendations of the 25th Meeting of the GCC Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research and followed up on the implementation of resolutions adopted at the 27th Meeting of the Committee of University Presidents and Directors. Updates were also presented regarding the Academic Qualification Evaluation and Equivalency Guide, reflecting greater policy alignment among GCC education systems. Additionally, the efforts of the Future Skills Task Force were reviewed, focusing on developing training programmes that anticipate the skills required for the future job market.
Participants commended the outcomes of the Gulf Cybersecurity Forum, hosted by Qatar in January, and underscored the importance of continuing such initiatives. It was decided that the next Gulf Cybersecurity Forum will be hosted by the University of Tabuk in 2026, with emphasis on strengthening research and academic collaboration in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and developing specialised curricula and training programmes in these areas.
The Committee also discussed mechanisms to activate international cooperation aimed at exchanging best practices, building strategic partnerships and reviewing progress in implementing the Academic Mobility Enhancement Initiative for students and faculty members.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the need to develop academic programmes in specialised fields aligned with current and future labour market demands. The technical team, comprising representatives from several GCC universities, presented key priority disciplines, most notably cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science, and reaffirmed the commitment to advancing the GCC Information Database (Jisr) initiative.
Coinciding with the meeting, a scientific symposium titled “University Differentiation: Realities and Future Perspectives” was held, exploring the future transformations of higher education, the role of institutional distinction in global rankings and the importance of innovation and digital transformation in enhancing the standing of GCC universities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a series of recommendations were adopted to strengthen GCC integration in higher education and scientific research, which will be presented to the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Their Excellencies the Presidents and Directors of Universities and Higher Education Institutions in the GCC, scheduled for Tuesday (October 21, 2025), at Al Jouf University.
Several participating GCC university representatives expressed their sincere appreciation to Al Jouf University for its outstanding hospitality and high-level organisation, commending the warm welcome extended by Professor Dr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Shayea, President of Al Jouf University, which reflected the region’s deep-rooted values of generosity and excellence, and the university’s ongoing commitment to the success of GCC-hosted events.
