An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan today officially opened the new Dubai campus of RCSI.

The Tánaiste attended the opening as part of this week’s Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking at the RCSI opening in Dubai, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said: “RCSI has long been a leader among Irish third-level Institutions in terms of exporting knowledge. The provision of international education and training plays an important role in fostering links between Ireland and other countries. Furthermore, the type of education provided by the College enables students to develop a global understanding of the challenges facing modern healthcare and encourages a collaborative approach to strategy development and problem solving.”

Professor Frank Keane, President of RCSI, said: “RCSI Dubai represents a further strengthening of the close ties between RCSI and Dubai. RCSI Dubai is licenced by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research as a recognised academic institution and we look forward to further developing our capacity in Dubai. The College’s Institute of Leadership and Healthcare Management provides innovative education, training and healthcare management services in Ireland and internationally. We aim to continue this tradition in Dubai, by providing programmes that meet the emerging healthcare needs of the region. The RCSI has extensive international experience and this provides a platform for us to put Ireland on the map as a global leader in the provision of clinical education and training and the development of management and leadership competencies.”

Established in 2005, RCSI Dubai provides postgraduate education and training through the RCSI Institute of Leadership and Healthcare Management (ILHM). Currently RCSI Dubai has 130 students enrolled on its two Masters programmes, both of which are accredited by the UAE Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research. 86 students have graduated since 2005. Over the next five years, RCSI Dubai will expand its remit to include clinical education and training.