Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem University Welcomes First Batch of Medical and Health Sciences Students - Sarmad

The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Abdullah Al-Salem University welcomed its first cohort of students today, Sunday, as the 2026-2027 academic year began. Fifty-four male and female students have started the six-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

The program awards an MD degree from Abdullah Al-Salem University and was developed in academic collaboration with King’s College London. It places emphasis on mental health alongside physical health and prevention, as well as the integration of technology and quality improvement.

In a statement, University President Dr. Mona Al-Ahmed expressed pride in welcoming the first cohort of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. She added that the college represents an ambitious step toward building an educational system that prepares medical professionals capable of keeping pace with the rapid advancements in medical sciences and technologies, contributing to community service, and enhancing human health and quality of life.

Dr. Al-Ahmed advised the students, “At the start of this journey, realize that success in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences is achieved through patience, discipline, perseverance, time management, and the ability to work in a team. The path of knowledge is long, and a true physician remains a student of science throughout their life.”

She expressed hope that the college would become a home for knowledge, a field for excellence, and a space for research and discovery, praying to God to grant the students success in their journey, bless their knowledge and efforts, and establish the college as a towering scientific institution.

For his part, Acting Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Aaid Khader, welcomed the new students, describing the day as “a historic moment for the college, as they are the first cohort to launch the university’s Doctor of Medicine program.”

In a similar statement, Dr. Khader said these students “have chosen one of the noblest of human professions, which is not limited to knowledge and learning, but is fundamentally rooted in humanity, compassion, responsibility, and trustworthiness.”

He added that an outstanding physician is not merely one who possesses knowledge, but one who applies it to serve patients and society, excels in listening and empathy, and makes the right decisions at the right time.

He clarified that students are not joining a traditional medical program, but rather a modern college that has set a clear goal since its inception: to prepare the physician of the future, capable of keeping pace with rapid developments in medical sciences, technology, and artificial intelligence, while simultaneously treating the patient as a human being with needs, emotions, and rights.

He noted that the college operates according to a modern, integrated curriculum developed in collaboration with King’s College London, which links basic medical sciences with clinical sciences and is based on active learning, problem-solving, teamwork, and lifelong learning. He explained that the goal is not merely to graduate successful students, but to prepare distinguished physicians, researchers, and leaders in the field of healthcare.

He emphasized that the first cohort are partners in building the college, and that their achievements, behavior, and discipline will form part of the foundation upon which the college’s reputation is built in the coming years. He wished them an academic journey filled with success and excellence, and hoped for the day when the university would celebrate their graduation as distinguished physicians, whom the State of Kuwait would be proud of.

The first cohort of students was selected through multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), conducted in collaboration with King’s College London. These interviews assess applicants’ critical thinking, communication skills, and ability to handle ethical and professional scenarios, alongside their academic records. The college also requires applicants to achieve a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four sections of the IELTS test, to ensure a high level of English proficiency.

The program spans six years, divided into three stages. Teaching combines lectures, small-group seminars, and case-based learning, with professional practice and communication skills introduced from the earliest weeks. The focus on digital health and the future of healthcare runs throughout the duration of the program.