Thumbay Group Partners with Swiss Longevity College to Launch UAE's First Structured Longevity Medicine Programmes

In a significant step towards advancing preventive healthcare education, Thumbay Group has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS), Switzerland, making Gulf Medical University (GMU) the first private medical university in the United Arab Emirates to offer structured academic education in longevity medicine.

The initiative will be delivered through the newly established Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine, combining Swiss academic expertise with GMU's established medical education ecosystem and Thumbay Healthcare's extensive clinical network.

The partnership aligns with the UAE's vision of becoming a global leader in advanced healthcare, medical innovation, and preventive medicine while positioning the Gulf region as an emerging centre for longevity science.

Six Professional Certificate Programmes to Launch

As part of the collaboration, the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine will introduce six internationally developed professional certificate programmes in partnership with GCLS. Each programme will be offered in a hybrid format over three months, with an initial intake of approximately 100 participants.

The programmes are designed for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, fitness professionals, and allied healthcare practitioners. Participants will learn through internationally benchmarked curricula developed by GCLS, supported by visiting global faculty, regional clinical experts, simulation-based learning, and GMU's integrated academic health system. Graduates will also have access to academic progression pathways into advanced studies in longevity science.

Growing Global Demand for Longevity Medicine

The partnership comes at a time when demand for longevity-focused healthcare is increasing rapidly worldwide. According to the 2026 Global Longevity Physician Survey conducted by GCLS across physicians on six continents:

The findings highlight the growing need for specialised education and clinical training in longevity medicine.

Leadership Perspectives

Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, said the collaboration represents a major milestone for medical education in the region.

"By joining hands with the Geneva College of Longevity Science, we are bringing world-class Swiss academic standards to the UAE and giving healthcare professionals across the Gulf the training this new era demands. Our vision is to transform Gulf Medical University from the No. 1 private medical university in the Gulf into the world's leading medical university."

Dr Dominik Thor, President of the Geneva College of Longevity Science, emphasised the importance of building academic foundations for the emerging field.

"Longevity medicine is becoming an essential component of modern healthcare, but the field urgently needs education, clinical standards, and credible training infrastructure. Through partnerships with leading universities, GCLS is helping to establish the academic foundations globally, and Gulf Medical University is the ideal partner to build that infrastructure in the Middle East."

Future Collaboration Beyond Education

The Memorandum of Understanding outlines a phased collaboration beginning with education and professional development. Over time, the partnership is expected to expand into co-branded conferences, workshops, symposiums, collaborative research initiatives, and other joint academic activities.

All programmes introduced under the partnership will comply with the relevant health authority regulations.

Admissions Open for 2026–27

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 academic year. Gulf Medical University is offering more than 50 academic programmes, while applications for the first cohort of the longevity professional certificate programmes are now being accepted ahead of the September–October 2026 intake.

Why This Matters

As healthcare increasingly shifts from disease treatment to prevention and healthy ageing, longevity medicine is emerging as one of the fastest-growing medical disciplines globally. By introducing structured academic training in this field, Gulf Medical University and Thumbay Group are helping equip healthcare professionals with future-ready skills while reinforcing the UAE's ambition to become a regional leader in precision health, preventive medicine, and healthcare innovation.

Editor's Note

Medical education is entering a transformative phase where prevention, personalised care, and healthy ageing are becoming as important as disease management. This collaboration demonstrates how universities are evolving to address future healthcare challenges by integrating emerging disciplines into formal education. Beyond expanding professional learning opportunities, the partnership reflects a broader shift in global healthcare priorities—one that places longevity, technology, and precision medicine at the centre of medical practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the new partnership between Thumbay Group and the Geneva College of Longevity Science?

Thumbay Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS), Switzerland, to establish the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine at Gulf Medical University (GMU). The collaboration will introduce structured academic programmes in longevity medicine, preventive healthcare, and precision health.

2. Why is this partnership significant?

The collaboration makes Gulf Medical University the first private medical university in the UAE to offer formal academic education in longevity medicine, reinforcing the country's vision of becoming a global hub for advanced healthcare and medical innovation.

3. What is longevity medicine?

Longevity medicine is a rapidly growing medical discipline focused on extending healthy lifespan through disease prevention, early intervention, precision medicine, lifestyle modification, nutrition, and personalised healthcare.

4. What programmes will be offered under the partnership?

The Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine will launch six professional certificate programmes:

• Clinical Longevity Medicine
• Longevity Physiotherapy
• Longevity Nutrition
• Longevity Fitness
• Peptide Medicine
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

5. Who can apply for these certificate programmes?

The programmes are designed for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, fitness professionals, and other allied healthcare practitioners seeking specialised training in preventive and longevity-focused healthcare.

6. How will the programmes be delivered?

Each programme will be delivered in a hybrid learning format over three months, combining online instruction with practical learning through GMU's clinical ecosystem, simulation facilities, and international faculty.

7. Why is longevity medicine gaining global attention?

Growing demand for preventive healthcare and healthy ageing has made longevity medicine one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare. According to GCLS's 2026 Global Longevity Physician Survey, 99% of physicians reported increasing patient demand, while 83% believe healthcare is shifting towards prevention.

8. Will participants receive internationally recognised training?

Yes. The programmes feature internationally benchmarked curricula developed by GCLS, supported by Swiss academic expertise, visiting global faculty, and Gulf Medical University's established medical education infrastructure.

9. Are admissions open for the programmes?

Yes. Applications are currently open for the 2026–2027 academic year, with the first intake of the longevity professional certificate programmes scheduled for September–October 2026.

10. How does this initiative support the UAE's healthcare goals?

The partnership strengthens the UAE's ambition to become a regional leader in precision medicine, preventive healthcare, healthy ageing, and medical innovation while building a highly skilled healthcare workforce equipped for future healthcare challenges.