M42 and NYUAD Sign MoU to Boost Health Education Pathways

M42, the global health leader powered by artificial intelligence, technology and genomics, and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand opportunities for students to learn alongside clinicians, researchers and innovators. The agreement strengthens collaboration across education, research and healthcare innovation, creating structured pathways that connect academic study with real-world healthcare environments.

The MoU was signed at the NYUAD campus by Andreas Fagher, Group Chief Human Capital Officer at M42, and Marta Losada, Interim Provost of NYUAD. The signing was witnessed by Faisal Al Mulla, Senior Vice President, Global Human Capital at M42, and Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYUAD. Senior representatives from both organisations attended the ceremony, underscoring the shared commitment to talent development and knowledge exchange.

Under the agreement, M42 and NYUAD will expand access to internships, research projects, mentorship and experiential learning. Students will engage with M42 experts and participate in project-based work across relevant areas of care, science and technology. These opportunities will be available to NYUAD students as well as visiting students from NYU New York and NYU Shanghai, helping bridge classroom learning with practical experience in medicine, biomedical science and health technology.

Andreas Fagher highlighted the human capital dimension of the partnership. “Building the future of healthcare requires us to invest not only in breakthrough technologies and scientific discovery, but in the people who will put them into practice. Through our collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi, we are connecting students with real-world healthcare expertise and experiences that will help develop future talent while advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions in life sciences and health innovation.”

Fabio Piano emphasised the academic and global reach of the collaboration. “NYU Abu Dhabi’s research in Artificial Intelligence drives technological advances but goes so much further; our expertise spans every aspect of AI’s impact on life and society. In M42 we have a partner of global distinction, world-leading in the development of AI in healthcare, creating exceptional opportunities for NYUAD students, as well as visiting students from NYU New York and NYU Shanghai. Thanks to this exciting partnership, they will gain practical insight and professional experience through internships, research and mentorship, preparing them for the workplace and contributing to the community.”

By combining NYUAD’s academic and research strengths with M42’s extensive healthcare ecosystem, the collaboration aims to give students a clearer understanding of how patient needs, workforce development, biomedical science and digital innovation intersect. The partnership will also support knowledge exchange through potential research collaboration, seminars, workshops and engagement with healthcare professionals across M42’s network.

The agreement comes at a time when healthcare systems worldwide are placing greater emphasis on multidisciplinary talent pipelines. Future professionals require the skills, experience and global perspective to work effectively across clinical care, research, data, technology and patient-centred services. For Abu Dhabi, closer collaboration between universities and healthcare organisations is central to developing future-ready capabilities and strengthening the emirate’s life sciences and health innovation ecosystem.

M42 brings deep expertise in AI-driven healthcare, genomics and advanced clinical services. NYUAD contributes strong research capabilities in artificial intelligence and a global student body drawn from multiple NYU campuses. Together, the two institutions seek to create a practical bridge between university learning and the healthcare environments where students may one day build their careers.

Representatives from M42 who attended the signing included Pascal Elias, Vice President, Human Capital; Robert Griffiths, Senior Director, Nursing and Allied Health; Alexander Gleason, Director, Clinical Education; and Sahim Kasht, Human Capital Business Partner. From NYUAD, attendees included Carol Brandt, Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost, Global Education and Outreach; Baishakhi Taylor, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs; Dana Downey, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of the Career Development Center; and Farhana Goha, Director of the Visiting Students Program and Student Research.

The MoU is designed to open access to expertise, applied projects and sector insight. Students will have the chance to observe and contribute to real healthcare settings, work on projects that address current challenges, and receive guidance from experienced clinicians, researchers and innovators. This experiential approach is expected to enhance employability and prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully to the evolving health sector.

Beyond individual student development, the partnership supports broader institutional goals. It strengthens the connection between academic research and clinical application, encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, and contributes to Abu Dhabi’s ambition of building a more connected and innovative life-sciences ecosystem. Knowledge exchange activities such as seminars and workshops will further extend the impact of the collaboration beyond formal internships and research placements.

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As healthcare continues to integrate advanced technologies, data analytics and genomics, the demand for professionals who understand both scientific principles and practical care delivery is rising. Partnerships that link universities with leading healthcare organisations provide a structured way to develop this talent pipeline. The M42–NYUAD agreement offers a model for how such collaboration can be organised to benefit students, institutions and the wider health system.

The initiative reflects a shared recognition that progress in healthcare depends not only on technological and scientific advances but also on the preparation of people who can apply those advances effectively. By creating clear pathways for internships, research and mentorship, M42 and NYU Abu Dhabi are helping to equip the next generation of health professionals with the experience and insight needed to succeed in a rapidly changing field.

Further details on specific internship, research and mentorship opportunities will be developed under the framework of the MoU as the two organisations begin implementing the agreement.