Dr Reem Al Ansari, Director of the Medical Skills and Simulation Centre and Assistant Professor of Medical Education at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), participated as a keynote speaker in the closing session of the first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference organised by King Abdulaziz University, recently held at the King Faisal Conference Centre in Jeddah.

The closing session brought together a distinguished group of leaders and thinkers in higher education, health innovation and public–private sector collaboration, to exchange insights on the future of education and innovation in the Arab world.

During her address, Dr Al Ansari discussed how simulation-based education has become a transformative platform for innovation, leadership development and system advancement. She highlighted that the essence of real transformation lies not only in technology, but also in the solid scientific foundations and well-established principles of medical education that move learners from the stage of knowledge acquisition to that of experiential learning, through reflection, feedback and repeated practice.

Dr Al Ansari further emphasised the importance of aligning the goals of educational institutions with national healthcare systems, both public and private, and with community needs, to ensure a comprehensive vision for development and sustainable impact. She explained that when simulation is integrated within such a holistic framework, it evolves from a mere training tool into a strategic leadership approach capable of driving real and lasting institutional change.

She concluded by affirming that AGU’s participation in this event reflects its strategic direction towards experiential learning and interdisciplinary integration, reinforcing its position as a regional centre of excellence in education, innovation, and leadership within the healthcare field.