Arabian Gulf University, represented by its College of Medicine and Health Sciences, has achieved a new global milestone by winning the ASPIRE Award for Excellence in Medical Education, presented by the International Association for Health Professions Education (AMEE), in the category of Excellence in the Use of Medical Simulation, in recognition of its efforts to develop simulation-based learning environments and enhance the quality of training for medical students and healthcare practitioners.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Saad bin Saud Al-Fahaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University, extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, for the support they provide to the university and its educational mission, enabling it to achieve its mission and objectives. He emphasized that this achievement embodies the university’s commitment to excellence and innovation in education, strengthens its presence at the regional and international levels, and reflects the standing it has achieved in the field of medical education through the adoption of modern teaching methods that focus on building clinical competencies, developing decision-making skills, and enhancing patient safety through hands-on training in advanced simulation environments.

His Excellency added: “The university will continue to invest in the development of medical education, support a culture of innovation, and strengthen its regional and international partnerships, thereby contributing to the preparation of physicians who possess the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to meet the healthcare needs of the future.”

The university received the award following a comprehensive evaluation of its educational practices and innovations in the field of medical simulation, during which the initiatives of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences demonstrated an advanced level of integration of simulation into the medical curriculum and the use of modern technologies to provide realistic and safe learning experiences. The university is scheduled to be honored as part of the 2026 ASPIRE Awards winners list during the association’s annual conference, which will be held in Vienna this coming August, in the presence of a select group of global institutions and leaders.

For his part, the Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and leader of the nomination team, Prof. Dr. Muhammad bin Saleh Madadin, expressed his delight that the university has received this award, which is considered one of the most prestigious international awards in the field of medical education, noting that it is subject to rigorous and high-level standards. He extended his thanks to the university administration for its continued support, as well as to the members of the nomination team who successfully highlighted the university’s outstanding efforts and capabilities. He also commended the efforts of all university staff—including members of the academic and administrative bodies—who contributed to this achievement.

Meanwhile, Dr. Reem Jassim Al-Ansari, Head of the Medical Skills and Simulation Center, explained that this achievement is the culmination of years of work and development in the field of medical simulation, and to the intensive efforts made by the center’s team in preparing the award nomination file, which highlighted Arabian Gulf University’s experience in utilizing medical simulation in accordance with the highest international standards.

She added: “This award represents the highest form of international recognition for excellence in simulation in medical education, a category directly linked to the Center’s mission and daily work. Preparing the nomination file was a long journey involving the collection of evidence, analysis of practices, and documentation of educational impact, in which the Center’s team participated alongside our partners from various colleges and departments at the university.”

She emphasized that what distinguished the Arabian Gulf University’s experience was not just its technology or facilities, but rather its institutional culture based on collaboration and teamwork, noting that every page of the nomination file contained a success story to which outstanding individuals and various units of the university had contributed. She added this achievement belongs to the entire university, and expressed pride in what the center has represented on the global stage in such a distinguished manner.

The ASPIRE Award is considered one of the most prestigious global awards in the field of medical education. It is awarded to educational institutions that achieve exceptional levels of excellence and innovation in medical education and training and represents international recognition of the quality of academic practices and educational leadership.