Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has stressed that its commitment to building and cultivating human capacity in the fields of biomedical sciences, genomics and precision medicine has been boosted by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital.
The MoU establishes co-operation and strategic partnership through various programmes and research activities relevant to Qatar’s national strategic priorities. These include the development of initiatives covering exercise science and the use of precision medicine to support physical activity and rehabilitation from injury. To assist, both parties have committed to establishing beneficial and complementary interaction concerning the College of Health and Life Sciences’s (CHLS) Joint Degree Master of Exercise Science programme.
Knowledge building is at the heart of the three-year agreement, with both parties committed to providing vocational training opportunities for HBKU students, a press statement notes.
Graduate students will also benefit from participation in joint research activities and studies covering relevant projects and programmes. Additionally, the MoU makes provisions for co-operation in the field of education and training of senior members of Aspetar staff through HBKU’s Executive Education Centre. Both parties will also create a working team to explore opportunities for mutual cooperation and, upon agreement, form a joint executive committee to develop programmes, submit requests for projects, promote the partnership and more.
Dr Edward Stuenkel, founding dean of CHLS, said: “Having hosted the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, and with FIFA World Cup 2022 on the horizon, Qatar has firmly established itself as a global sporting hub. The country’s sporting infrastructure is second to none and supported by high-quality training and medical facilities. The more Qatar embraces sport the greater the need for excellence in exercise science and relevant forms of precision medicine becomes.”
“To this end, we’re delighted to be building closer ties with such an esteemed authority on sports and exercise medicine. While the CHLS will be an obvious beneficiary, we’re nevertheless confident that the whole HBKU community stands to gain from closer ties with Aspetar.”
Dr Abdulaziz Jaham al-Kuwari, Aspetar chief executive officer, said: “In line with Aspetar’s strategic objective to provide world best integrated medical education and training, this partnership will allow HBKU students to gain practical and hands-on training at Aspetar and benefit from our world-class facilities and diverse qualified experts. We are committed to support a vibrant clinical and academic environment by assisting the next generation of healthcare professionals through providing and supporting comprehensive, evidence-based and interprofessional Sport and Exercise Medicine and Science education.
“Aspetar's team of professionals has provided medical services in some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and the IAAF World Athletics Championships. It is a standout factor which HBKU students will benefit from.”
Aspetar is the world's leading hospital in orthopaedics and sports medicine and the first of its kind in the Middle East, having successful partnerships with local and international sport and educational institutions. Aspetar is accredited as a reference centre for the region by the Gulf Co-operation Council, as an IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health by the International Olympic Committee, as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence by the International Federation of Association Football and has been awarded the Diamond level by Accreditation Canada International.