The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University is conducting personal interviews with applicants from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries seeking admission to its academic programs, which include the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services. These interviews are part of the admissions process designed to select students best prepared to pursue medical studies and to meet the profession’s future demands and challenges.

The interviews are conducted by specialized evaluation committees comprising university professors and a number of medical students in their final years, which helps enrich the interview experience and convey a realistic picture of the nature of study and academic life at the college. The interview provides an opportunity to get to know the applicant’s personality, abilities, and motivations, as well as to assess their suitability for the medical profession and its requirements—including commitment, responsibility, and the ability to handle various academic and medical challenges.

Dr. Aseel Al-Saleh, Dean of Student Affairs at Arabian Gulf University, said that the distinguished academic track record established by Arabian Gulf University throughout its history is clearly reflected in the level of trust that parents in the Gulf countries place in the university, as well as in their eagerness to enroll their children in the various medical programs offered by the college. She emphasized that admission interviews serve as a crucial step in getting to know the student’s personality and assessing their psychological and intellectual readiness to undertake the medical education experience.

She added: “We clearly saw the extent of this trust during our meetings with students and their parents while the English proficiency exam for admission was being administered; their participation and eagerness to enroll at the university demonstrated its academic standing and trust it enjoys in the Gulf countries.” She added: “The Arabian Gulf University has taken steady and determined steps toward improving education and enhancing its outcomes by adopting innovative approaches, and by introducing modern and unique majors that meet the needs of the Gulf job market, based on an ambitious strategic vision formulated by an integrated team, with the goal of establishing the university as a leading academic institution in innovation and medical education.”

Dr. Al-Saleh explained that the interviews aim to assess the student’s personality, their ability to communicate, think critically, and take responsibility, as well as their awareness of the nature of health professions and the humanitarian and professional challenges and responsibilities they entail. This enhances the university’s ability to select students who possess the qualities necessary for success in their future medical careers.

In this context, the assessment committees focus during the interviews on a set of fundamental criteria, foremost among which are intrinsic motivation and awareness, leadership qualities and a sense of responsibility, self-confidence and emotional stability, sound judgment in handling various questions and situations, as well as communication skills, active listening, and positive interaction with committee members.

These interviews serve as a crucial stage in the student selection process, in line with Arabian Gulf University’s commitment to attracting students who possess academic excellence, a well-rounded personality, a genuine motivation to learn, and the ability to communicate, work, and take on responsibility, which are qualities that will prepare them to continue their medical education and contribute to serving their communities in the future.