Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the founder and president of Thumbay Group, is set to receive an honorary doctorate from Mangalore University at its 42nd annual convocation on June 15. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to business, healthcare, and education.
Born on March 23, 1957, in Mangalore, India, Dr. Moideen is a third-generation entrepreneur from a prominent business family. He took over the family business and transformed it into a global enterprise. As the head of the Thumbay Group, a diversified international conglomerate based in Dubai, Dr. Moideen has led the group’s expansion into 20 sectors. The Thumbay Group employs over 15,000 people in the UAE and has been named by Forbes Middle East as one of “The Top Indian Business Leaders in The Arab World.”
Beyond his business achievements, Dr. Moideen is deeply involved in various organizations, serving as the Chief Patron of the Ajman Indian Association, Indian Business Council in Ajman, Beary’s Association in Dubai, and Karnataka Sangha in Sharjah. He is also the president of the Asian Hospital Federation’s UAE region, a member of the International Hospital Federation in France, and a member of the International Association of University Presidents.
Under Dr. Moideen’s leadership, the Thumbay Foundation supports numerous charitable activities in healthcare and education. The foundation provides scholarships, grants, bursaries, awards, fellowships, endowments, and donations, assisting students in pursuing education and training.
Dr. Moideen’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including an Honorary Doctorate from Amity University, Dubai, and the ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ Award for his leadership in healthcare and medical education. He is the only Indian to own and operate the largest private medical university outside India.
In 2022, he received the ‘Vishwa Manya’ award from the Maharaja of Mysore, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, and Anand Guruji. Forbes Middle East featured him on the cover of its special ‘Healthcare’ issue in 2018. He also received the ‘Global Leader’ award at the NDTV Gulf Indian Excellence Awards in 2016.
Dr. Moideen’s journey began at 21 when he took over the business from his father, Dr. B. Ahamed Hajee Mohiudeen. Inspired by his grandfather, Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi, he founded the Thumbay Group in the UAE in 1998. Under his leadership, the group has grown significantly, providing livelihoods to thousands of families.
Today, the Thumbay Group operates across 20 sectors, including education, healthcare, medical research, diagnostics, retail pharmacy, wellness, hospitality, real estate, media, and medical tourism. The group’s Thumbay chain of hospitals serves patients from over 175 nationalities, and Gulf Medical University attracts students from over 80 countries. Dr. Moideen continues to focus on strategic plans to grow the group’s businesses tenfold and expand its global operations.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen’s story is one of vision, dynamism, and determination. Recognized globally for his achievements, he has built Thumbay Group into a diversified international conglomerate, contributing significantly to healthcare and education.