University of Sharjah signs MoU with Boehringer Ingelheim

The MoU stipulates that the joint cooperation between the two entities will focus on enhancing students’ knowledge to the pharmaceutical industry in addition to offering students from the College of Pharmacy practical trainings in the medical, patient safety and pharmaceutical care fields. Additionally, the MoU aims to establish a number of training courses and academic programs specialized in these areas.

Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the UOS signed the MoU on behalf of the university whereas Osama Al Haj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma in the Gulf, Iran and Pakistan (GulfIP) at Boehringer Ingelheim signed the MoU on behalf of the company. The MoU signing was also attended by Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, Prof. Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for Medical Colleges and Health Sciences and Dean of College of Medicine, Prof. Karim El-Zu'bi, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Prof. Ahmad Mohammad Hamdan, Dean of the College of Dental Medicine, Prof. Rabih Halwani, Director of the Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), as well as a number of faculty members from the university’s medical colleges. From Boehringer Ingelheim’s Gulf IP region, the MoU was attended by Mr. Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, Mrs. Doaa Elkadi, Head of Human Resources, Dr. Marjan Maghami, Medical Director, Mr. Faisal Haji, Head of Public and Government Affairs, Mrs. Sara Bahr, Local Patient Safety Lead, Mrs. Ilda Naccour, Communications Manager, Dr. Redouane Soualmi, Head of Public Government Affairs in India, Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the UOS, welcomed this cooperation emphasizing that the University of Sharjah, with the support and directions of its President, His Highness, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, is keen on expanding its collaborative efforts with numerous international companies and institutions. These partnerships provide the UOS’s students with the opportunity to benefit from practical training courses that are in line with the highest standards and better equip them to enter the job market. The University includes a diverse array of specializations and academic programs and currently has 18,500 students, 3000 of which are enrolled in Masters and PhD programs. Additionally, the UOS is ranked as the number one university in the UAE based on the Times Higher Education university rankings. The UOS’s Chancellor expressed how content he was to sign the agreement as it will strengthen cooperation between the UOS and Boehringer Ingelheim across various fields in the pharmaceutical sector. 

Prof. Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for Medical Colleges and Health Sciences and Dean of College of Medicine, UOS, stressed the importance of such cooperative efforts in contributing to primary care to promote public health. Moreover, Prof. Qutayba presented an overview of the University’s medical complex which includes numerous colleges, research institutions and clinical centers equipped with the latest technologies and devices that offer locally and internationally accredited academic programs.

Ousama Alhaj, General Manager in the Gulf, Iran and Pakistan, Boehringer Ingelheim, commented on the value of this partnership and said: “As a company that puts patients at the core of everything we do, Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to be committed to its social responsibility by providing the necessary tools to students and preparing them to enter the ever-evolving market. Our partnership with the University of Sharjah aims to strengthen students’ knowledge and expertise that will help them constantly thrive in their future careers.”