The University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai has welcomed the first student cohort for the new part-time MSc International Healthcare Leadership – the first of a series of new industry-led Masters programmes introduced into the region by the University. 21 senior healthcare professionals in clinical to administrative roles came together in Dubai for a session by programme leader, Dr. Stephen Brookes, senior fellow in public leadership at The University of Manchester.
Of the new students, 9 are female; 12 students are resident in the United Arab Emirates, six reside in Saudi Arabia, together with students from Kuwait, Lebanon and Bahrain.
The Middle East healthcare sector remains very active with continued public and private sector investment to meet rising patient demand, greater emphasis on wellness and prevention, privatization and some consolidation taking place, alongside digital transformation with increasing automation and Electronic Health Records, and mandatory health insurance programmes being rolled out. All of this is placing a premium on high quality leadership across healthcare systems, institutions and individual departments.
The new MSc International Healthcare Leadership is delivered in a part-time blended learning format for experienced clinicians and managers already in general management or leaders in healthcare who need to enhance their leadership skills, and those managers who need practical preparation before moving into clinical, project, specialist or business leadership positions. It is designed to equip leaders and managers with the latest knowledge and global healthcare best practice, and to help facilitate experienced managers transfer their skills into the healthcare economy, while they continue to work.
The flexible study programme can be completed in two years. The blended learning MSc also includes regular face to face workshops in Dubai.