Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has welcomed 49 students to the 11th cohort of its Tibb wa Uloom (Medicine and Sciences) Programme, a study sponsorship initiative designed for high-achieving Emirati secondary school graduates and university students aspiring to pursue careers in health specialities.
The new cohort met H.E. Dr Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, Director General of DHA, at a gathering where the sponsorship contracts were formally signed.
Since its launch in 2016, the programme has admitted a total of 618 students, including 297 graduates. This underscores DHA’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Emirati talent and strengthening their representation across health specialities, thereby supporting the continued progress of Dubai’s health sector.
Women constitute 84.8 per cent of all students enrolled in the programme, compared with 15.2 per cent men. Medicine accounts for approximately 60 per cent of enrolments, followed by nursing and allied health specialities such as radiology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, nutrition and other related fields. The range of specialities has expanded over the years in response to evolving health priorities and sector needs, with new areas including public health added based on clinical capacity studies to ensure Emirati professionals are prepared in key priority domains.
Asma Al Sharif, CEO of the Health Regulatory Sector at DHA, stated that investing in Emirati talent remains a cornerstone of the sustainable development of the health sector. She emphasised that enabling Emirati students to build strong academic and professional pathways in health specialities helps supply the sector with qualified professionals capable of meeting current and future needs.
“The Tibb wa Uloom Programme is a long-term investment in Emirati talent. It begins by supporting students throughout their academic journey and extends to preparing them to contribute effectively to the health sector,” she said. “The arrival of the 11th cohort reflects the continuity of this investment and the programme’s role in building a new generation of Emirati health professionals.”
Dr Khawla Al Hajaj, Director of the Medical Education and Research Department at DHA, highlighted that the programme offers an integrated support system combining academic sponsorship with training opportunities and practical development. This approach helps students build knowledge and skills while preparing them for a smooth transition into professional life after graduation.
She added that the programme aims to attract and prepare Emirati students interested in health specialities according to defined criteria, ultimately supporting the development of qualified Emirati professionals who can make meaningful contributions to the health sector.
