Dr Ghazi bin Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research at the Arabian Gulf University, received Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin, and Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain at the university’s headquarters in Manama to discuss ways to deepen and strengthen joint strategic cooperation and develop plans for the exchange of expertise and scientific research.

During the meeting, which was attended by the University Vice President for Institutional Support Services Dr Abdulrahman Yusuf Ismail, the Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Dr Mohammed Maddadin, and a number of deans and heads of medical departments, the strength of the academic ties that have united the two universities was emphasised, as well as the shared commitment to strengthening the successful partnership since the signing of the joint cooperation agreement in 2014, under which a joint fund was established to finance joint medical research between faculty members of both universities, with the aim of enhancing research collaboration in support of medical education.

They also discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of medical education and scientific research, reviewed the latest developments in the academic programs in the medical sector at both universities, and consulted on several joint educational and health initiatives that contribute to enhancing the quality of medical education outcomes and supporting the health sector in the region.

Dr Ghazi bin Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research, emphasised that this meeting underscores the university’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships, noting that cooperation with RCSI Medical University of Bahrain has a long history, and that the partnership between the two universities represents an important pillar for developing academic and research initiatives and programs in line with global best practices, contributing to the preparation of qualified medical professionals who meet the needs of the health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

During the meeting, Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of RCSI in Dublin, expressed his admiration for the progress and development of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City project, praising the flourishing of modern technologies and advanced clinical scenarios at the Simulation and Medical Skills Center, as well as the commendable digital development taking place at the university library. He emphasised that expanding the scope of cooperation between the two universities is imperative and capable of making a difference, and that the current strategic partnership between them serves as a model for successful partnerships among universities worldwide.

For his part, Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, expressed his appreciation for the constructive and complementary relationship between the two universities and extended his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Faheed, President of Arabian Gulf University, for his support and commitment to advancing this collaboration. He emphasised that this meeting constitutes a significant step toward expanding areas of joint cooperation and opening new horizons in healthcare education and scientific research, joint training programs, and exchanges at the student and faculty levels in medicine and nursing, thereby enhancing the quality of academic outcomes and supporting the development of health services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He noted that the meeting is part of a series of previous important meetings, all of which sought to expand areas of cooperation and strengthen academic coordination, thereby achieving the two universities’ goals of advancing healthcare education and scientific research and achieving sustainable development.

This visit is part of joint efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships between medical educational institutions in the region, thereby contributing to the development of the quality of medical education and scientific research, and the exchange of global expertise in various medical fields and specialties, and advanced scientific research, to support and strengthen the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, by providing it with highly competent and skilled personnel.