Mangaluru: Thumbay Group, which began as a medical education initiative in the United Arab Emirates in 1997, has evolved into a diversified academic healthcare group with operations spanning education, healthcare, research and allied sectors.
Speaking at a media interaction at Thumbay Hills in Mangaluru on Friday, founder president Dr Thumbay Moideen said the group is entering its 30th year with an ambitious vision guided by the philosophy of “Growth through Innovation”. He said the group aims to establish the world’s largest network of medical education centres.
The organisation’s journey began after the ruling family of Ajman invited Dr Moideen to establish a private medical college in the UAE. The opportunity was considered unprecedented at the time, as establishing such an institution as a foreign national was a significant challenge.
From Gulf Medical College to Gulf Medical University
The Gulf Medical College was established in 1998 and subsequently developed into Gulf Medical University (GMU), which has grown into one of the prominent private medical universities in the Gulf region.
GMU currently has seven colleges offering more than 50 accredited programmes. Around 5,000 students are enrolled at the university, representing more than 111 nationalities.
The university has also developed an extensive international academic and research network. It has collaborations with more than 70 universities and institutions across the world, providing students and researchers with opportunities for international academic engagement.
Research remains a major component of the group’s academic vision. Thumbay Group invests around AED 10 million every year in research grants, reflecting its emphasis on innovation, medical research and advanced healthcare education.
Expanding academic healthcare network
Over the years, Thumbay Group has developed one of the larger private academic healthcare networks in the Gulf region.
Its operations include academic hospitals, clinics, medical centres, diagnostic laboratories and pharmacies. The network has treated more than 19 million patients representing 175 nationalities, highlighting the international reach of its healthcare services.
The group has also conducted more than one lakh deliveries through its healthcare facilities.
According to the group, its focus has been to combine medical education with clinical practice, enabling students and healthcare professionals to gain practical experience alongside academic training.
Thumbay Medicity anchors healthcare expansion
One of the group’s major developments is Thumbay Medicity in Al Jurf, Ajman.
Spread across 25 acres, the integrated healthcare and education destination includes Thumbay University Hospital, a 350-bed academic hospital described by the group as one of the largest private academic hospitals in the region.
The campus also houses Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital.
The integrated facility attracts around 15,000 visitors every day, making it a major healthcare and education destination in the region.
The model brings multiple healthcare specialities, education and related services together in a single location, supporting the group’s broader vision of developing integrated academic healthcare ecosystems.
New projects in healthcare and education
Thumbay Group is continuing to expand its presence through several new projects.
Among its upcoming initiatives is a 120-bed mental health and rehabilitation hospital in Sharjah Healthcare City. The group is also developing a veterinary teaching hospital and Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine.
Another major project in the pipeline is the Thumbay International Research Centre, which is expected to strengthen the group’s focus on research and innovation.
Thumbay Group is also developing Thumbay Medicity Dubai. The project is expected to generate around 1,000 employment opportunities and further expand the group’s academic healthcare infrastructure in the UAE.
New focus on longevity medicine
The group has also announced plans for academic programmes in longevity medicine in collaboration with the Geneva College of Longevity Science in Switzerland.
The programmes are intended to introduce specialised academic opportunities in an emerging area of healthcare and medical science.
Through the Thumbay International Pathway Programme, students will also have opportunities to complete their foundational studies in the UAE before undertaking clinical training at partner universities in Europe.
The pathway is designed to provide students with international academic and clinical exposure while working towards globally recognised qualifications.
Dr Moideen’s recognitions
Dr Thumbay Moideen has received several recognitions for his contributions to healthcare, education and industry.
In October 2024, he was honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, one of Karnataka’s major civilian honours. In January 2026, he received the New Year Award from the Academy of General Education, Manipal.
He has also received five honorary doctorates from universities across three continents, in addition to several national and international recognitions.
His career has been closely associated with the expansion of medical education and healthcare services in the UAE and the development of an integrated academic healthcare model.
Thumbay Group’s global footprint
The group currently operates across 26 brands and 15 business sectors. Its healthcare network has served more than 19 million patients from 175 nationalities.
The organisation has seven academic hospitals, clinics and medical centres, along with 46 pharmacies and a regional diagnostic laboratory network.
Its academic operations include seven colleges and more than 50 accredited programmes, with around 5,000 students representing more than 111 nationalities.
The group has more than 70 international academic and research collaborations and employs around 4,000 people.
It has also committed more than AED 60 million through its Care & Share scholarship programme, aimed at supporting students and expanding access to education.
Vision for the next phase
As Thumbay Group enters its 30th year, the organisation is positioning medical education, healthcare and research as the central pillars of its future expansion.
The group’s evolution from a medical college in Ajman into an international academic healthcare network reflects its emphasis on integrating education with clinical services and research.
Dr Moideen’s vision of “Growth through Innovation” is expected to remain central to the group’s next phase, with new hospitals, academic programmes, research facilities and international partnerships planned across its operations.
With a growing presence in healthcare education, clinical services, research and allied sectors, Thumbay Group aims to further strengthen its global footprint while contributing to the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals.