Ajman Launches UAE’s First Private Veterinary Hospital and College

A New Era in Veterinary Healthcare and Education

Dubai has witnessed a significant milestone in the advancement of veterinary healthcare and education with the establishment of the UAE’s first private veterinary teaching hospital and college in Ajman. This groundbreaking initiative, led by the Thumbay Group, marks a transformative step in providing high-quality veterinary services and academic training within the country.

The project was officially launched at Thumbay Medicity, where His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council, attended as the chief guest. Alongside him was Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president of Thumbay Group, who played a pivotal role in this development.

Bridging the Gap in Veterinary Education

For many years, students seeking advanced veterinary care and formal education in the UAE had to look abroad or rely on public institutions. The introduction of Thumbay Veterinary Hospital and Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine aims to address this gap by offering comprehensive clinical care and hands-on training locally.

The hospital is designed to treat a wide range of animals, including household pets like dogs and cats, exotic animals, horses, camels, and livestock. These animals hold a special place in UAE society and culture, making the hospital’s services essential for both urban and rural communities.

In addition, a dedicated teaching farm is planned for the next phase, which will expand practical learning opportunities for students in areas such as production animal medicine, herd health, and farm management.

International-Standard Facilities

The hospital is being developed to meet international standards, featuring specialized sections for small and large animal care, surgery, diagnostic imaging, intensive care, laboratory services, and isolation units. This integrated setup ensures that students are exposed to the full spectrum of veterinary practice before graduation.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen emphasized the group’s long-term commitment to healthcare and education in the UAE. He stated, “When we started Thumbay nearly three decades ago, the goal was simple: bring world-class healthcare and education to the UAE so families would not have to look elsewhere. Today we extend that promise to the animals who share our homes, our farms, and our heritage.”

Clinical Exposure from Year One

The college, operating under Gulf Medical University, offers a flagship program in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This program is designed around clinical exposure from the first year, evidence-based practice, and research tailored to regional realities.

Manda Venkataramana, chancellor of Gulf Medical University, highlighted that the combination of a teaching hospital, college, and working farm creates a unique learning model rarely seen globally. He noted, “Our curriculum is built around clinical exposure from year one, evidence-based practice, and research that responds to the realities of this region, desert species, working animals, food-producing livestock, and companion animals so beloved by UAE families.”

Focus on Camels, Falcons, and Equine Care

The college has established collaborations with various veterinary hospitals, research centers, and industry partners in the UAE and internationally. These include:

• Thumbay Veterinary Clinic for in-house clinical training
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research for academic and research collaboration
• Royal Veterinary College London for globally recognized veterinary school partnership
• Sharjah Equine Hospital for equine medicine and surgery rotations
• Sharjah Falcon Hospital for avian and falcon medicine
• UAQ Camel Breeding Centre for camel medicine, reproduction, and herd health

Other partnerships include City Vet Hospital Groups for multi-site companion animal practice exposure, ABC Feed Factory for animal nutrition and production industry partnership, and Don State University Russia for international academic and research collaboration.

Expanding Opportunities

Admissions and program details are available at Gulf Medical University’s official website. This initiative represents a significant step forward in providing UAE-based education and training for future veterinarians, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the growing demands of the region.

Thumbay Medicity Dubai opens in Al Qusais, while Thumbay Hospital Fujairah brings advanced healthcare closer to the community. Gulf Medical University continues to shape global healthcare leaders through world-class education, and Thumbay College and Thumbay Healthcare forge a pathway to employment with landmark MOUs.