The University of Manchester Middle East Centre has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Saudi German Health, marking the University’s first partnership in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. 
Saudi German Health has an extensive and growing network of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and educational facilities across the region providing comprehensive care for millions of patients every year with more than 9,000 doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and staff.
The University is developing its corporate partnership programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is already an important source of part-time master’s students for the Middle East Centre and home to a rapidly growing alumni community.
The University of Manchester’s Strategic Talent Partnership (STP) programme provides a framework for collaboration and engagement between business and business education.
It helps identify leadership and management skills development areas, and career opportunities for potential candidates among the University’s regional talent pool. The MoU with Saudi German Health will enable the group’s access to the University’s experience and expertise across multiple sectors, including healthcare.
Saudi German Health employees who are eligible will also benefit from fast-track access to the University’s portfolio of part-time master’s programmes, including the flagship Global Part-time MBA, which attracts large numbers of highly qualified working professionals from Saudi Arabia, working in a range of business sectors. The University’s partners also enjoy access to networking and faculty-led professional events organised by the University for students and alumni.
Since 1988, Saudi German Health has grown to become one of the leading private healthcare providers in the MENA region with a network of existing and upcoming hospitals and clinics across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco and Pakistan.
Saudi German Health is leading the health development and transformation of healthcare in the region, through its integrated team of specialists and health experts, bringing in state-of-the-art medical technologies and equipment, and providing an exceptional patient experience in line with the highest international standards and practices.
The Strategic Talent Partnership (STP) agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Shebl, Saudi German Health Group CEO, with the senior management team in attendance, during a visit to Saudi German Health in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by the University. Randa Bessiso, Middle East Director, signed on behalf of the University, which also presented an information session on post-graduate courses for Saudi German Health staff across many departments.
Dr. Ahmed Shebl, Group CEO, Saudi German Health, commented: “This strategic partnership with the University of Manchester is an affirmation of Saudi German Health’s dedication towards fostering talent and promoting continuous education. We aspire for our group to become the employer of choice distinguished by a strong culture based on continuous development, educational opportunities, and training programs. Undoubtedly, this MoU will contribute to supporting our vision aimed at developing an institution that enables its employees to thrive and progress.”
Randa Bessiso, Middle East Director at The University of Manchester, added: “The University of Manchester is delighted to sign this new partnership agreement with Saudi German Health – the leading private healthcare provider in the region and a truly world class Saudi institution with a commitment to continued education and innovation. It also marks a significant milestone in the development of our corporate partner programme in the Kingdom and we aim to build a close working relationship across our teaching/learning and research capabilities, where the University has built its global reputation, including in healthcare. We would like to thank the senior management team of Saudi German Health for generously hosting us in Jeddah and we look forward to developing this exciting new partnership together.”
The University of Manchester is ranked among the world’s top 50 universities and one of the world’s leading universities for impact towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The University of Manchester Middle East Centre provides access to a dynamic portfolio of part-time master’s programmes for working professionals, including the flagship Global Part-time MBA, Global Executive MBA, and specialist master’s programmes in Educational Leadership in Practice, and Financial Management.
The Middle East has developed into the largest and fastest-growing centre in the University’s international network comprising five hubs in key business cities around the world.
It is also the most diverse, with students of 105 nationalities. The Middle East Centre has supported 3,200 part-time master’s students based in the region and graduated around 2,100 since opening in 2006.
