Two workshops organised by the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) Library to train faculty members and students of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences on using the database for optimal access to electronic textbooks and references were concluded, with the participation of about 60 academics, researchers and students.

Library Director, Athra Al Alawi, pointed out that these specialised workshops aim to train deans, department heads and professors on effectively employing the database in teaching various medical curricula and facilitate interaction between students and professors. While the student-focused workshop trained attendees on using the same database in academic study, enhancing the process of self-learning and conducting medical and scientific research. The workshop concluded with a motivational competition for the 36 participants.

During his visit to the training and development lab in the library, His Excellency the President of the University, Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, stressed the university's keenness to provide the library with various references and modern e-databases to maximise the benefit of students in various academic programs. This stems from the university's belief in enhancing the role of medical libraries and electronic resources to support academic achievement and scientific research while developing the process of education and self-learning.

The President pointed out that throughout the past months efforts have focused on enhancing e-learning and digital access by renovating and expanding the university library, in line with strategic, sustainable, academic and health goals, stressing the university's keenness to provide students and researchers with the latest scientific references in their specialisations. This reflects the university's mission to be a scientific beacon for the benefits of the Gulf community, noting that its policy works to enhance structures that enable scientific research to support solution-oriented innovation that serves common Gulf interests. 

For her part, the Library Director affirmed the university’s strategy to enhance scientific resources, e-databases, and all scientific and research services to meet the needs of students, academics, and all interested parties. This consolidates the role of the library as an advanced facility for information and knowledge, actualising the university’s efforts towards sustainable development, while keeping pace with digital and electronic progress in medical, educational, technical, and business administration sciences. 

The training was attended by Head of Training at McGraw Hill, Lecturer Yara Hazouri, and the company's Middle East Regional Director, Lecturer Hugh Beatty. It is noteworthy that McGraw Hill specialises in educational publishing and academic content development in the Middle East region, and provides a wide range of educational resources for students and teachers worldwide. The AccessMedicine and AccessSurgery databases provide a comprehensive set of medical textbooks, interactive tools, and educational videos that help researchers, students, and doctors access the latest medical information and comprehensive educational research.