Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates— 03, October 2021: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to promote ties between both institutions through student placements, training programs, sharing facilities and resources, and exchanging academic information in the field of medicine.

Professor Waqar Ahmad, the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University and Dr Yendry Ventura, Specialist in Immunology and General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center attended the MoU signing, which took place virtually. Under the agreement, ADU and ADSCC will establish cooperative relations that will enhance educational and outreach opportunities for their students and faculty. As part of the collaboration, ADU students were offered hands-on training in molecular biology and basic immunology.

The MoU includes the exchange of advanced educational expertise through training workshops, conferences, and academic programs that will provide the latest developments and best practices. In addition, ADU will have access to the ADSCC’s medical diagnostic laboratories and ADU’s students and faculty will be offered a wider perspective in the field of diagnostic medicine, nutrition technology and dietetics. 

Commenting on the agreement, Prof. Wassim Y. Almawi, Dean of College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University, said, “We are honored to enter this strategic partnership with one of the most advanced healthcare centers in the UAE, as it will allow us to accelerate our vision of providing a holistic learning experience to our community. ADU takes pride in arming its students with the knowledge needed to become professionals in their respective fields; and with the support of Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and the crucial training opportunities offered, I am confident that our students will realize their full potential and meet the healthcare needs of the UAE.”

He continued, “We are constantly seeking local and international partnerships with like-minded institutions that would allow us to provide ‘out of the box’ solutions and achieve our promise of creating a healthier community in the UAE.”

Dr Yendry Ventura from ADSCC, said “Our ambition, from the start, has been to strengthen home-grown medical research capabilities to address the most urgent chronic diseases in the country. We cannot truly realize this ambition without creating growth opportunities for local and regional medical students. We are proud to forge this partnership with a highly regarded institution like Abu Dhabi University as we shape our next generation of doctors and researchers, and we look forward to undertaking truly groundbreaking work together.”

Founded in 2019 as a first-of-its-kind specialist healthcare center in the United Arab Emirates, ADSCC is focused on cellular and regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy research. It is uniquely set up to conduct complex research and was among the first worldwide to conduct research for a patented COVID-19 treatment. It aims to meet the growing domestic and regional demand for highly specialized medical services and treatments by harnessing the latest technologies, medical devices which are unique to the region, and a team of internationally recognized doctors working hand in hand with researchers. 
ADU’s College of Health Sciences focuses on providing high-quality education in public health, environmental health and safety, nutrition, and biomedical sciences. It aims to offer advanced research opportunities for its students and to proactively engage with and contribute to the communities in which they live and work in.