by ashokaib | Oct 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
Dr Hassan ElBahri, orthopedic oncology consultant at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (AGU), participated in the Asia-Pacific Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Meeting (APMSTS 2025), recently held in Bali, Indonesia. The event saw the participation of over 350 experts and specialists from 20 countries worldwide.
During the conference, Dr Elbahri delivered a presentation titled "Handmade Bone Cement Spacer for Humerus Tumor Resection” in which he reviewed several clinical trials and shared the findings of his research on the effectiveness of using bone cement spacers in reconstructing the humerus following tumor resection.
Dr Elbahri’s participation underscored AGU’s representation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf region, affirming the university’s leading role in supporting scientific research and advanced medical education.
Commenting on his experience, Dr Elbahri stated, "Conferences like this one are vital platforms for keeping up to date with the latest developments in the field. They provide valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, direct interaction with leading international experts, and the enhancement of skills, all of which contribute to improving healthcare quality in our region."
It is noteworthy that APMSTS 2025 focused on enhancing research collaboration and scientific exchange among musculoskeletal tumor specialists across Asia-Pacific countries and beyond. The conference addressed the growing challenges in diagnoses and treatment of these tumors, showcasing the latest advancements in diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, and reconstructive methods after tumor resection, particularly in bones and soft tissues.
The conference covered key scientific topics included basic research and clinical translation, bone metastases, osteosarcomas (such as giant cell bone tumors and Ewing sarcoma), pelvic and spinal tumors, modern imaging and histology, biological reconstruction methods, and the use of prosthetic limbs.
by ashokaib | Oct 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
A field study conducted by a team of doctors from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in collaboration with public hospitals and the Primary Health Care Department at the Ministry of Health, has revealed that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among preschool children aged three to six years is 2.6%. This rate aligns with figures reported in high-income countries and is higher among males than females.
The study, a collaborative effort involving the Bahrain Association for Intellectual Disability, the National Institute for Disabled, and the research team, concluded that the prevalence rate is considered "acceptable" and consistent with similar studies conducted internationally.
The sample consisted of 500 children aged three to six (250 males and 250 females) visiting health centres for routine checkups. There were 125 participants from each governorate across eight total health centres (two per governorate), during August and September 2025.
Interviews were conducted by teachers from Al-Wafa Centre for Autism, who were trained to utilise tools such as the initial data form and the M-CHAT-R test for screening autism symptoms.
The second phase of the study examined 232 children diagnosed with ASD at the Children and Adolescent Unit at the Psychiatric Hospital over the course of a year. Researchers reviewed medical records, assessed for intellectual disabilities and ADHD, and evaluated the impact of autism on families.
Findings indicated that 79% of children with ASD also had intellectual disabilities, while 17.2% were diagnosed with ADHD. The family burden was moderate to severe in 38% of cases, whereas 20% experienced no significant impact.
Dr Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, Professor of Psychiatry at AGU and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, commented, "This study is important for accurately documenting ASD prevalence rates and understanding associated developmental disorders, filling a critical knowledge gap. These findings will assist relevant authorities in the Kingdom with planning and delivering appropriate health, educational, and social services to children in the future."
The research team included Dr Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, Dr Haitham Jahrami, Dr Muna Al-Mahdi, Dr Nabil Sulaiman, Dr Randa Rabhi Hamada, Dr Mohammed Al-Faqih, Dr Raja Hejair, Dr Iman Haji, and Dr Mohammed Khalid Al-Midfa.
by ashokaib | Oct 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
A delegation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman paid a field visit to Arabian Gulf University (AGU) to check on the welfare of Omani students enrolled in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The visit comes as part of the Ministry's commitment to ensuring the quality of education and providing necessary support for the Sultanate's students.
During the visit, the delegation met with Dr Abdulrahman Yousif, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr Aseel Al Saleh, Dean of Student Affairs, and Mr Abdulhameed Marhoon, Head of Admissions and Registration. The university officials affirmed AGU's commitment to providing an integrated educational environment that meets students' needs and contributes to the success of their educational journeys. They also discussed ways to enhance academic support and student services offered to Omani students.
The delegation included Hassan bin Taqi Al Zaabi, Director of the Department of Licensing Programme and Supervision, along with Yousef bin Musabah Al Shabibi and Mishaal bin Khalfan Al Hinai, both Researchers in Scholarship Student Affairs at the External Scholarship Department. They met with a number of students and listened to their opinions and feedback on the academic environment and the level of services provided. They also exchanged views on the potential challenges the students may face and ways to overcome them.
The visit also included a tour of the student housing in the Sakhir area, the university library, the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, and the Anatomy Museum at the AGU's College of Medicine and Health Sciences. At the conclusion of their visit, the delegation members emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and the university to ensure the best educational outcomes and provide a stimulating study environment for Omani students.
This visit comes within the context of Oman's continuous interest in monitoring the affairs of its scholarship students and providing everything needed to support their academic journey abroad. This reflects its firm commitment to enhancing higher education, improving the quality of its outcomes, and empowering students to achieve academic and professional excellence.
For its part, AGU pays great attention to providing a stimulating and integrated educational environment for Omani students. It is keen on offering the necessary academic and administrative support to ensure they have an outstanding educational experience and to help prepare them to play an active role in serving their communities.
The Omani students expressed their appreciation for this initiative, which reflects the Sultanate of Oman's interest in following up on their affairs and supporting their academic path.
by ashokaib | Oct 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Professor Khalid Mubarak bin Dayna, Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (AGU), presented a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at continuously updating medical curricula to align with the latest developments in 21st-century medical education.
This initiative is part of ongoing development plans for refinement of the Problem-Based Learning model (PBL), an approach in which AGU has established regional leadership. The college is actively working to reframe clinical educational problems to foster students’ analytical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, besides expanding the use of clinical simulations and interactive digital learning environments that provide safe, virtual settings for clinical decision-making under direct academic supervision.
The roadmap is centred around three axes. The first emphasises enhancing the design of educational problems based on the global 3C3R model, which integrates content, context, communication, research, reasoning, and self-critical thinking. It aims to deepen the integration of modern technologies and digital simulations into the educational process, creating a realistic and interactive learning environment. It also focuses on developing assessment methods by adopting a comprehensive programmatic assessment model that combines multiple low-stakes assessment tools, such as progress tests, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), and workplace-based assessments (WPBA). This approach provides a more accurate and continuous picture of student performance over the course of their studies, coming in parallel with ongoing efforts to develop and qualify faculty members in PBL, ensuring sustainable quality and innovation in the educational process.
Professor Bin Dayna stated, “The plan is designed for gradual, multi-year implementation, beginning with faculty capacity-building to ensure consistent quality. Our goal is to graduate adaptable doctors and healthcare professionals who excel in clinical reasoning.” He added that this roadmap is a strategic investment in a flexible, future-oriented educational model grounded in the principles of PBL, an essential component of modern medical training.
The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at AGU affirms that this initiative complements existing continuous improvement efforts aligned with its vision of fostering an integrated medical education system that equips physicians to meet evolving healthcare challenges.
by ashokaib | Oct 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain, have launched the first phase of an institutional benchmarking project within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two institutions in the field of health education development in the Gulf region.
The project was launched under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU, and His Excellency Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI, and under the supervision of Dr Ghazi Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research at AGU, and Dr Nichola McLarnon, Head of Quality and Academic Development at RCSI.
The project, which represents a qualitative step in the academic cooperation between the two institutions, aims to develop a system of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and employ them as a practical tool to support academic accreditation requirements and quality assurance.
His Excellency Dr Al Otaibi stated that the project represents a qualitative leap and a concrete beginning for activating academic cooperation between the two institutions, which enhances Bahrain's regional standing in the quality of medical education. For her part, Dr McLarnon clarified that this initiative establishes an institutional culture based on evidence and transparency, ensuring that data exchange adheres to the highest governance standards.
The project seeks to enhance the exchange of expertise between the two universities in the fields of medical and nursing education, scientific research, and strategic planning. Both universities affirm that benchmarking is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure excellence and innovation in higher education, thereby strengthening the position of the Gulf and the Kingdom of Bahrain as a leading regional hub for academic excellence and quality assurance.
This project is being implemented on the ground through the quality and accreditation teams at both universities, which are responsible for coordinating the various stages, managing the data exchange process, analysing indicators, and preparing reports. This underscores their pivotal role in ensuring that the agreement translates into tangible results that support academic accreditation and solidify a culture of institutional excellence.
It is worth noting that the preliminary phase of the project included two official meetings and two reciprocal visits between AGU and RCSI. During these visits, the strategic foundations for the project were laid, and a commitment to applying the best global practices in quality assurance and academic accreditation was affirmed.
At the conclusion of the last visit, the Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning Centre at AGU organised an introductory tour for the delegation from RCSI, covering the university's most prominent facilities, particularly the Medical Skills and Simulation Centre. During this tour, expertise was exchanged regarding the development of medical education and training environments.
