Healthcare students and future frontliners that make up the Class of 2022 from Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) on June 28 are to be named the ‘Class of Khalifa’ in honor of the late HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s second president who passed away on May 13.

The graduation ceremony, which will take place at Dubai Opera under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chancellor of MBRU and Chairman of Dubai Academic Health Corporation Board of Directors, will pay tribute to the late leader and commemorate His immense contributions to the country’s prosperity and empowerment.

Students from several programs are graduating this year from MBRU, including the first cohort from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, and the first cohort of nursing specialists from the College of Nursing and Midwifery as well as the first cohort from the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program and graduating dental specialists from all five dental postgraduate programs at Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine. The historic event will also include physicians who graduated from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, which is offered by Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in academic partnership with MBRU.

“By naming the 2022 graduating cohort after the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, we recognize His tremendous achievements and contributions to the nation, as well as His pivotal role in transforming the UAE into a regional and global powerhouse for education and healthcare,” said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, Chancellor of MBRU and Chairman of Dubai Academic Health Corporation Board of Directors.

“Education has always been one of Sheikh Khalifa’s top priorities as He believed it would be the cornerstone in helping the UAE become a more inclusive and prosperous society. Several initiatives were undertaken at all levels of education under His visionary leadership, prompting the world’s reputable universities to establish bases in the UAE, attracting outstanding students from the Arab world and beyond.” H.H. added.

Dr. Amer Sharif, President of MBRU and CEO of Dubai Academic Health Corporation, added: “With the passing of the late HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, the UAE has lost a visionary leader who has strived to transform the UAE into a regional hub for education. Under His leadership we witnessed educational institutions rise to new heights every day, and we are honored that MBRU was established during His Highness’s lifetime. His legacy will be celebrated through the Class of Khalifa and will forever be remembered.”

Alia Al Mulla, President of MBRU’s Student Council and an Emirati student who completed her MBBS degree at MBRU this year, said: “It is a true honor to be part of this year’s graduating cohort. For our class to be named after the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, in recognition of His remarkable legacy and services to the nation’s educational sector, is a very proud moment for us all. It is an absolute honor, and we feel privileged to bear His name and will continue to work hard to befit His legacy.”