American University in Dubai partners with Penn Medicine to train future doctors
Students in the UAE will soon have the chance to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at a new School of Medicine launched by the American University in Dubai (AUD).
The new school is being developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine), widely recognised as the first medical school and teaching hospital in the United States.
The alliance was officially announced at a launch event in Dubai attended by senior representatives from both institutions, alongside UAE officials, healthcare leaders and academic experts.
The ceremony marked the transition from planning to implementation, with the AUD School of Medicine now set to begin training future doctors in the years to come.
Training the next generation in the UAE
The new MD program will follow a US-style curriculum adapted to reflect the UAE’s healthcare priorities, combining academic study with clinical training.
It is expected to become a hub for education, research and innovation, designed to prepare graduates to deliver care both locally and internationally.
Dr. J. Larry Jameson, President of the University of Pennsylvania, emphasised the significance of the partnership: “In this collaboration, we aim to support the establishment of the UAE’s premier academic medical institution.
This achievement will strengthen the American University in Dubai’s world ranking, elevate the University of Pennsylvania’s global reputation, and enrich the future of health and education.”
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Dr. Kyle Long, President of AUD, described the launch as a landmark for higher education in the region: “Today marks a historic moment with the project launch of the first-of-its-kind American medical school in the UAE.
In partnership with Penn Medicine, the AUD School of Medicine will educate the next generation of physicians, advance research, and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes.”
The School of Medicine is also expected to collaborate with hospitals, research centres and healthcare organisations across the region.
By combining international standards and expertise with Dubai’s existing healthcare infrastructure, the initiative aims to support both medical training and scientific research.
For families in the UAE, the arrival of the AUD School of Medicine represents a significant expansion of study options, giving students interested in medicine the opportunity to pursue a degree without relocating abroad.
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