University of Manchester in Dubai Presents Master's Degree in Healthcare Leadership

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai is presenting at Arab Health 2018 the new 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 have already joined the first cohort and were inducted recently by programme leader, Dr. Stephen Brookes, senior fellow in public leadership at The University of Manchester.

The first cohort for the MSc International Healthcare Leadership started with 21 students enrolling on the new industry-led part-time programme, following a recruitment campaign across the Arabian Gulf region. 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 (the number of private healthcare facilities in Dubai alone grew 4% in Q2 2017) 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 (with further options to accelerate studies). The programme also includes regular face to face workshops in Dubai.

Randa Bessiso, Director - The University of Manchester Middle East Centre, comments: “We are delighted to present this new Masters programme at the region’s premier healthcare conference. Attracting, retaining and developing talent is a major challenge in this very dynamic regional industry. Of course, professional and effective leadership is an essential component for all healthcare systems

and at every level, whilst maintaining a patient-centric approach. Wellness and prevention are central to the new model of care arising across the regional industry as healthcare leaders aim to improve productivity and cost efficiency in delivering healthcare for a rapidly growing regional population.”  

The MSc International Healthcare Leadership programme is one of a range of new industry-led specialist Masters programmes being introduced to the region by the university, alongside a growing series of shorter executive education programmes.