Academic collaboration between The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Ain Al Khaleej Hospital
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has entered into a significant academic collaboration with Ain Al Khaleej Hospital and the University for Health Sciences in Al Ain City. This collaboration underscores UT Health San Antonio’s commitment to advancing health care education globally and strengthening academic ties with international institutions.
Through this collaboration, UT Health San Antonio will provide academic consulting services to Ain Al Khaleej University to assist in the establishment of health care programs to include a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, a Bachelor of Nursing, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, a Bachelor of Medical Imaging and Radiology Technology, a Bachelor of Speech Therapy and Audiology, a Bachelor of Emergency Medical Services, a Bachelor of Medical Laboratories, and a Bachelor of Anesthesia Technology. Among these, the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program will be the first and only dental degree offered in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
A delegation representing UT Health San Antonio, including Peter M. Loomer, DDS, PhD, MBA and Enas Bsoul, DDS, MSc, MS from the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio, paid a brief visit to Al Ain City in February 2025 to formalize the agreement. They met with His Excellency Mohammed Shemel Almemari during their visit, representing Ain Al Khaleej University, and had the opportunity to tour the academic campus, which is under construction and scheduled for completion by summer 2025.
Under the five-year agreement, UT Health San Antonio will play a crucial role in curriculum development, faculty training and academic program implementation to ensure that Ain Al Khaleej University meets local and international educational standards. Additionally, the agreement allows for the exchange of faculty and experts, collaborative research opportunities, and the development of continuing education programs for faculty and staff. The collaboration is designed to help Ain Al Khaleej University establish itself as a premier institution dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the local population.
“With an emphasis on innovation and excellence in health care education, this partnership reaffirms UT Health San Antonio’s global leadership in health sciences and reflects a shared commitment to academic and professional excellence in medical and dental education,” said Loomer.
This agreement is initially set for five years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional five-year term, ensuring long-term cooperation in the advancement of health care education in the region.