Alumni Board Association Members
Dr. Siraj began his journey at Gulf Medical College in November 1998 when he joined the MBBS program as part of the inaugural batch of 80 students from around the world. Despite the lack of senior guidance, the dedicated faculty, hailing from prestigious medical institutes worldwide, provided unwavering support.
Summer clinical training took them to countries like Germany and India. Dr. Siraj completed his training at University Krankenhous, Ependorf, Hamburg, Germany, and SRMC, Chennai, India. His internship at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, known for their high standards of patient care, honed his skills. In 2015, he earned a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration, marking the beginning of his administrative career at Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, and later at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman.
As a GMU alumnus, he has applied three life-lessons to his career: empathy and compassion, teamwork and collaboration, and communication skills. His vision for the alumni board is to create a dynamic and engaged community that contributes to the university’s growth and the professional development of its graduates.
Dr. Singh’s journey at GMU commenced in 1999 when he enrolled in the MBBS program. From his third year onward, he embarked on summer clinical training in India. His summer training stints took place at SRMC Chennai, Saints John’s College Hospital Bangalore, and Pushpagiri Hospital Kerala. Following this, he completed his internship at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, where he honed the clinical skills essential for a competent healthcare professional. In June 2006, he graduated and began preparing for international registration exams like PLAB and the Medical Council of India exam.
GMU had established its hospital, now Thumbay Hospital, Ajman where he was hired as a resident in the internal medicine department, making him eligible for the MOH registration exam, which he passed in 2008. Currently he is working as Department Chair , Accident and Emergency TUH. Clinical lecturer , Medical Education, GMU .Educational coordinator and Emergency Clerkship Director, TUH.
He pursued a master’s degree in internal medicine from 2011 to 2014 at the University of Buckingham, UK. In 2014, he returned to the UAE and was rehired by Thumbay Hospital. He also did his Masters in Health professions Education from GMU & Faimer in 2020.
Despite facing numerous life challenges and setbacks, Dr. Singh maintained his patience and dedication to his plan, with continued support and guidance from GMU even after graduation.
Dr. Khadar, a GMU graduate, treasures three life lessons that have profoundly influenced her career. Firstly, she values continuous learning and adaptability, vital in today’s rapidly evolving world. Secondly, GMU’s emphasis on empathy and effective communication has enhanced her relationships with colleagues, patients, and students, advancing her career. Lastly, the resilience and problem-solving skills acquired through challenging medical situations are pillars of her professional journey, enabling her to remain composed under pressure and find innovative solutions.
GMU, in her view, provided knowledge, values, and skills that profoundly shaped her career choices. She states, “GMU equipped me for my future by providing a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills in my field. It instilled in me a sense of responsibility, ethics, and cultural competence, invaluable in my career.” As a member of the GMU alumni board, Dr. Iman is committed to strengthening the alumni network and fostering a stronger sense of community. She envisions more connected and engaged alumni through events, mentorship, and collaboration with students, all geared toward advancing GMU’s mission and ensuring its ongoing success.
Dr. Vohra, a proud graduate of the College of Dentistry in 2020, completed an internship at Thumbay Dental Hospital, successfully passing her DHA licensing exam on her first attempt. Currently, she serves as the Head of Department and Cosmetic Dentist at Healway Medical Center. As an alumni member, Dr. Vohra is eager to share her wealth of experience and insights with current students and recent graduates, offering guidance on career choices and professional development.
She identifies three core life lessons she has incorporated into her career. Time management, critical thinking, and effective communication have been pivotal in her journey as a dentist, especially in handling challenging patients and clinical scenarios. GMU’s impact on her career choice is evident through the comprehensive knowledge, skills, and exposure to clinical scenarios she gained during her time at the university.
In terms of contributions to the alumni board, Dr. Vohra aims to facilitate professional development by leveraging her expertise to organize workshops and seminars that will enhance the careers and personal growth of alumni. Her vision is to see the alumni board thrive as a valuable resource for graduates, fostering their ongoing success.
As a GMU alumni, Dr. Badpa has distilled three core life lessons: selfdiscipline, hard work, and continuous self-improvement. He underscores how the GMU experience shaped not only his professional journey but also influenced his future career decisions. It instilled in him the drive to aspire for excellence in his domain, which led him back to GMU as a student pursuing a master’s in hospital management.
Being part of the GMU family provided him a home to return to for guidance. The faculty’s training on dealing with various patient types and overcoming career challenges transformed obstacles into valuable lessons. This not only impacted his professional growth but also shaped his personal development.
Additionally, Dr. Badpa emphasizes the role of the alumni board in creating a global network of GMU alumni. This network enhances educational standards and career qualities by sharing experiences and knowledge from alumni in different countries. Furthermore, he sees it as a responsibility to guide future generations of GMU students in drawing their career paths and achieving their goals.
Dr. Ahmad, a GMU alumnus, has distilled three vital life lessons that have profoundly influenced his career. Firstly, he champions the ethos of “learning from the world,” a core principle deeply ingrained in GMU’s culture. He remains unwavering in his commitment to continuous learning, and to this end, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in drug discovery and development at GMU.
Secondly, he underscores the value of teamwork and collaboration, a cornerstone of medical programs. He has integrated this principle into his professional domain, placing a premium on effective communication and collaboration with colleagues, students, and research endeavors.
Lastly, he places emphasis on empathy and compassion, virtues instilled by medical education which has enabled him to foster a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives and provide support and care to his students, colleagues, and the community.
Regarding future plans for the board, Dr. Samiullah aspires to assist in organizing alumni events, spearheading fundraising initiatives, and supporting alumni in their personal and professional growth. He is dedicated to strengthening the bond between the university and its alumni, ensuring their voices are heard and assisting them in achieving their aspirations.
Dr. Bhatt, a 2020 BPT and 2023 MPT graduate, reflects on his GMU journey, highlighting essential life lessons and the profound impact on his career. He says, “GMU instilled the value of clear and concise communication,” which Dr. Bhatt applies comprehensively in his professional endeavors. Additionally, his GMU experience fine-tuned his time management skills, invaluable for meeting deadlines in his career. Collaboration, another pivotal lesson, was imbibed through group projects, teaching him the value of teamwork with diverse groups.
GMU’s influence on his career choice is undeniable. Dr. Bhatt’s major and coursework at GMU has been instrumental and directly applicable to his chosen field. GMU’s strong academic foundation and real-world exposure through internships prepared him for career challenges.
As an alumni board member, Dr. Bhatt aims to bring his passion for the university and its alumni community. He envisions creating opportunities for alumni to connect, share experiences, and support each other’s personal and professional growth. Expanding outreach to engage more alumni is central to his vision, strengthening the alumni network.
Ms. Selvaraj, a member of the 2016 BSN Cohort, embodies unwavering dedication and a profound passion for nursing. Her exceptional commitment to her studies led to university representation at prestigious inter-university events and collaborations with the Ministry of Health. After completing her nursing education in 2020, she embarked on her professional career journey at Thumbay University Hospital, where her commitment and passion continue to shine.
In her nursing career, Selvaraj applied three vital life-lessons. First, she emphasizes the importance of compassion and empathy in patient care, qualities instilled by GMU. Second, her nursing education emphasized critical thinking and problem-solving skills, vital for making quick decisions in high-pressure situations. Third, GMU stressed the significance of teamwork in healthcare.
As a member of the alumni board, she aims to create a supportive network for nursing alumni, fostering professional development, mentorship, and continuing education opportunities. Her vision includes facilitating connections between alumni and current students, providing guidance and resources to excel in their nursing careers. Ultimately, she aims to strengthen the bond among alumni and contribute to the continued success of the university.
As a GMU alumni, Ms. Aledwan has embraced three core life lessons that she applies to her career; these include: working smart, nurturing positive relationships, and maintaining a relentless pursuit of learning. Her GMU experience significantly influenced her career choices, with gratitude to her doctors, including the late Dean Abu Baker (may God have mercy on him), who instilled in her the value of perseverance. Dr. Maisoon also highlights the unwavering support she received from Dean Dr. Moon, describing him as an approachable figure always willing to assist.
Regarding her contribution to the alumni board and her vision for its future, she explains, “We aim to secure attractive discounts from various companies for our alumni, with special offers at Thumbay Medicity for alumni and their families from the first degree onwards. We’ll actively participate in Continuing Medical Education (CME), organize camps, and engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Furthermore, a dedicated group will keep all alumni informed about the latest news, activities, and offers.”