Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman

Our Story
Founded in 1998 by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group, Gulf Medical University (GMU) started as Gulf Medical College with a vision to transform healthcare education in the UAE. Over the years, it has grown into a full-fledged medical university, attracting students from around the world. GMU combines education, research, and patient care to train the next generation of healthcare professionals while improving regional health outcomes.

Our Programs
GMU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across a wide range of healthcare disciplines, including:

Medicine

Dentistry

Pharmacy

Physiotherapy

Nursing

Medical Laboratory Sciences

Anesthesia & Surgical Technology

Medical Imaging Sciences

Healthcare Business Programs

The university also provides short-term certificate courses for professional development. GMU stands out because of its integrated network of Thumbay Hospitals, Clinics, and Institutes, giving students hands-on experience in real healthcare settings.

Research & Institutes
GMU hosts specialized research and development centers, including:

Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine

Thumbay Institute for Population Health

Thumbay Institute for Health Workforce Development

These centers focus on research, postgraduate studies, and professional training, fostering innovation in healthcare education.

Accreditation & Recognition
GMU’s programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). All programs are listed in WHO’s Directory of Medical Schools and IMED under FAIMER and are part of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) network. The university has graduated over 1,300 students, with more than 900 completing continuing medical education programs.

Campus & Facilities
Located on a 25-acre campus in Ajman, GMU is closely connected to Thumbay Hospitals, Clinics, and Pharmacies for practical training. The campus includes:

Classrooms, laboratories, and resource centers

Thumbay Diagnostic Center

Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation (TICS)

Innovation and Research Center

Sports complexes, health club, restaurants, and cafes

The Thumbay University Hospital Complex houses:

Thumbay University Hospital – 350 beds, largest private academic hospital in the region

Thumbay Dental Hospital – first private dental hospital in the UAE and largest academic dental hospital in the Middle East private sector

Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital – advanced center for physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Advanced Labs & Research
Thumbay Labs supports clinical research, high-complexity testing, and evidence-based clinical practice. It offers specialized diagnostic services such as neonatal screening, genetic testing, and cancer screening.

Location
GMU is strategically located in Ajman, UAE, with easy access to Dubai International Airport (30 minutes) and Sharjah International Airport (20 minutes).

Why GMU?
GMU is committed to providing top-quality education and professional training to ensure graduates are well-prepared for the healthcare industry. The university offers:

World-class infrastructure and facilities

Industry-aligned curriculum

Summer training programs to build practical skills

Start-up labs to support entrepreneurship among students and alumni

Strong employability and career support

Our Promoters
GMU is part of Thumbay Group, a diversified UAE-based conglomerate founded by Dr. Thumbay Moideen. The group operates across 26 brands, including education, healthcare, diagnostics, retail pharmacy, media, technology, wellness, hospitality, and medical tourism, employing nearly 3,000 people.

Connect with GMU
Explore opportunities to study, research, or collaborate with GMU and be part of a global network advancing healthcare education and services in the UAE and beyond.