Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Deans of Medical Colleges Committee, Dean of the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), Prof. Abdelhalim Deifalla, emphasised the importance of sharing expertise and fostering cooperation among medical colleges in the Gulf to enhance medical education and improve the quality of healthcare services in the region.

During his participation in the Medical Education Conference 2025, which began yesterday in the Omani capital, Muscat, organised by Sultan Qaboos University, he stated that the GCC Deans of Medical Colleges Committee, which was established in 1992, is dedicated to advancing medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

The committee continuously works on refining curricula, teaching methodologies, and evaluation processes, while also promoting collaboration among corresponding departments within medical colleges and supporting joint scientific research.

Prof. Deifalla stressed the importance of advancing educational standards by adopting the latest methodologies and advancing scientific research and clinical training to meet the needs of the Gulf's health sector.

The conference coincided with the 38th meeting of the GCC Deans of Medical Colleges Committee, providing an opportunity to strengthen academic collaboration among Gulf medical colleges, unifying efforts to enhance medical education in line with the best international standards. It brought together numerous experts and specialists in medical education from both regional and international institutions. 

The conference aims to serve as a vital educational platform for exchanging innovative ideas and new technologies in teaching, assessment, and guidance, while also promoting the well-being of participants in medical education. Additionally, it seeks to develop attendees' leadership and professional skills, support educational research and scholarships, and establish a network of dedicated medical educators committed to achieving academic excellence.

The conference sessions, titled "Innovation and New Technology: Opportunities and Challenges", discussed the latest developments in medical education curricula, the role of AI in improving assessment and training, and enhancing the quality of scientific research and clinical training. 

The conference featured five distinguished speakers from the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, who shared insights on the latest developments and innovations in medical education, focusing on the impact of new technologies on the educational process.

A range of topics reflecting current trends in medical education was discussed, including distance learning and assessment, in-person attendance, faculty development, competency-based medical education, medical simulation (including virtual and augmented reality technologies), the application of AI in medical education, scholarships, and evidence-based medical education. The conference reviewed findings from more than 70 scientific papers, presented three keynote lectures, and conducted eight workshops facilitated by experts from the region and beyond.