EXCELLENT STANDARDS FOR ALL
TBY talks to S. Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor of the RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), on the further development of higher education, its key differentiators, and the need for qualified doctors.
BIOGRAPHY
S. Gurumadhva Rao was born in India in 1950 and received his doctorate in pharmacology in Karnataka, India. He is currently Vice Chancellor of RAKMHSU, having previously served as the Registrar of the Manipal University for six years.How will the higher education sector in Ras Al Khaimah develop in the near future?
If we compare the current education sector here with how it was 10 years ago, we can see vast improvements in terms of how it has developed. There has been rapid progress over the last decade. In the next three years, we have to contribute significantly to research, which is the most critical aspect for a university or any higher education institution. In our case, we have a team of researchers, especially in microbiology- and genetics-related research. Sheikh Saud has a great vision for the education sector. He has been reinforcing the ideology that education has to be of a high standard for all, regardless of nationality. He strongly believes that an education gives students the power to manage themselves and society. Since UAE nationals make up around 18% of the student body, no educational institution can survive without the support of expatriate students. Hence, every university should develop strategies to attract expats for higher education. This will be possible only when the university offers high quality education supported by world-class infrastructure and other facilities.
How do you differ from the universities in the free zones?
We have to go through the Ministry of Higher Education for every new program we start. We need the initial accreditation and licensing. We must have adequate infrastructure, facilities, and faculty for each program in order to ensure high quality. The standards set by Ministry of Higher Education affairs are excellent regulations required for higher education. Institutions in the free zone do not have to meet the same regulations for their programs because their parent universities provide the degrees.
To what extent are qualified doctors needed in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE?
Over the last 10 years, there has been a remarkable improvement in terms of hospitals opening in the UAE; this is necessary considering there is a never-ending demand. However, there is still room for more hospitals. With each new hospital, the need for more doctors naturally emerges. However, the cost of healthcare is still high. It is a challenge for the government and hospital authorities to make healthcare more affordable. The country cannot continue to depend on expatriate doctors. The Ministry of Health seeks to fill new positions with as many national doctors as possible. There is a high demand for psychiatrists at the moment. The Ministry of Health recently opened a psychiatric hospital, which demonstrates that it is paying greater attention to mental health in the UAE. A second area that needs more doctors is cancer treatment. There are not many facilities for oncology. In specialized surgeries, there are many cardiologists as well as high-tech surgeries. For diabetes, patients need not only doctors and surgery, but changes in lifestyles too. There are endocrinologists in the UAE, though they have to motivate their patients to stick to the necessary diets and lifestyle to be healthy.
EXCELLENT STANDARDS FOR ALL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
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TBY talks to Andrea Di Gregorio, Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables of the RAK Municipality Department, on the Emirate's overall strategy, specific programs, and early supporters of energy efficiency and renewables.
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Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED)
TBY talks to Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), on improving the ease of doing business, key diversification pillars, and the impact of new VAT.
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Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), on offering investors a global platform, creating a one-stop shop, and the strategic comparative advantages of access to the Indian Ocean.
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Manu Mehra, CFO, RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO)
TBY talks to Manu Mehra, CFO of the RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO), on the role of free zones in diversification, the benefits of smart state intervention, and the keys most needed for a strong manufacturing sector.
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Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman, Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME)
TBY talks to Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME), on incentivizing young people, working with local government to encourage entrepreneurialism, and the role of SMEs in the UAE marketplace.
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Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director, Al Marjan Island
TBY talks to Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director of Al Marjan Island, on the continuous growth of the real estate market in RAK, its robust investment landscape, and the Emirate's ambitious plans to develop its tourism sector.
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Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President , American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
TBY talks to Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), on the consequences of growing global demand for education and AURAK's efforts to attract students from beyond the Emirate.
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Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU)
TBY talks to S. Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor of the RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), on the further development of higher education, its key differentiators, and the need for qualified doctors.
read articleInterview
Taner Topcu, Director, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone’s (RAKEZ) Academic Zone
Taner Topcu holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Anadolu University in Turkey. He is an industry expert with more than 20 years of successful experience in education, hospitality, business development, and customer relations. Prior to joining RAKEZ in 2015, Taner worked at TECOM Investment's Education Cluster in Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, where he worked in operations, business development, and account management. He also worked at Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi as a Business Development Manager and at Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority as a Director of Engagement Operations.
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