The American College of Surgeons (ACS), the largest organization of surgeons in the world, has accredited the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) as a Comprehensive Education Institute, making it the first type of accreditation an educational institute receives in the UAE, and only second in the region after Kind Saud University in Saudi Arabia.

The American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes (ACS-AEI) sets standards for how surgical education and training should be offered. MBRU had to follow rigorous standards to achieve the accreditation, such as having a homegrown curriculum that is both nationally responsive and innovative, faculty development programs that are grounded in growth and focused on improving learning,  and research in which MBRU has topped the national average when it comes to publications in the top %10 journals. Until date MBRU has more than 215 peer-reviewed research papers in leading journals reflecting the caliber of the faculty; amongst many other factors.

All Comprehensive Education Institutes must develop original curricula, offer faculty development programs and courses, and additionally engage in research or other scholarly activities that advance the field of surgical education and training. The goal of the accreditation is to promote patient safety using simulation, to develop new education and technologies, identify best practices, and promote research and collaboration among accredited institutes.

Dr. Amer Sharif, MBRU’s Vice-Chancellor, commented, “We are all very proud of this achievement. These types of prestigious international accolades increase the competitiveness of MBRU and enhance its reputation amongst other medical universities in the UAE and the region. For the past two years, we all have worked determinedly with the mission of advancing the future of health care in the UAE. This accreditation is a step forward in our journey of accomplishing excellence, which is also one of MBRU’s values embedded in everything we do.”

Professor Homero Rivas commented, “We at MBRU have recently attained full accreditation as one of few centers around the world as an American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institute (ACS-AEI). Only less than 100 such centers around the world have this top distinction, and of those, only 14 centers are outside the USA. We are the first and only center in the UAE and we have joined King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, as the only two centers in the Middle East. The American College of Surgeons is a 106-year-old scientific and educational association of surgeons with more than 82,000 members, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.”

He continued, “This accreditation represents highest standards for surgical education and training for practicing surgeons, surgical residents, medical students, and members of the surgical team using simulation-based education. This accreditation will have great impact on our community, not only with young physicians and surgeons trained with the highest quality standards, but also it will have a great positive impact in patient safety through the use of simulation, resulting in better outcomes. We, at MBRU, align well with the American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes, developing new education and technologies, identifying best practices, and promoting research and collaboration not only in our colleges, but also among other accredited institutes. We also evaluate the impact of education through long-term follow-up of learners and analyze how to best incorporate aspects of surgical research into surgical education. Lastly, this accreditation has been the result of several years of organized, deliberate and hard work at MBRU from many of our distinguished scholars, with the goal to attract and create leaders in medicine and surgery in the United Arab Emirates and around the world.”

The American College of Surgeons has two types of accreditations that may be sought, comprehensive and focused. Both Comprehensive and Focused Education Institutes must meet rigorous standards for accreditation; however, Comprehensive Education Institutes must meet additional criteria, as compared to Focused Education Institutes.

Being accredited and recognized by the world’s largest organization of surgeons is a testament to MBRU’s values of excellence and connectivity. Excellence through the quality of services and connectivity through collaborations amongst other ACS-AEI accredited institutes.