Thumbay Group has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geneva College of Longevity Science (GCLS), Switzerland, marking a significant step in introducing structured academic education in longevity medicine, healthy ageing, preventive healthcare, and precision health in the United Arab Emirates.
Through this partnership, Gulf Medical University (GMU) the first private medical university in the UAE to take this initiative has established the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine. The collaboration combines GCLS’s position as the world’s first higher education institution dedicated exclusively to longevity science with GMU’s academic excellence and Thumbay Healthcare’s extensive clinical ecosystem.
This strategic alliance aims to advance longevity education, research, innovation, and professional development across the Middle East and position the UAE and wider GCC region as emerging leaders in longevity medicine. It also supports the UAE’s national vision of becoming a global hub for advanced healthcare, preventive medicine, and medical innovation.
As part of the agreement, the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine will launch six internationally developed professional certificate programmes in academic partnership with GCLS. These programmes will be delivered in a hybrid format over three months, with an initial intake of approximately 100 participants per programme.
The six programmes are:
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Clinical Longevity Medicine
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Longevity Physiotherapy
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Longevity Nutrition
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Longevity Fitness
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Peptide Medicine
- Thumbay Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
These programmes are designed for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, fitness professionals, and other allied healthcare practitioners. They integrate Swiss academic expertise with GMU’s educational strengths, clinical faculty, simulation facilities, and integrated Academic Health System.
Participants will follow internationally benchmarked curricula developed by GCLS, supported by visiting international faculty and regional clinical experts. Clear academic progression pathways into advanced studies in longevity science will also be provided.
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A recent GCLS 2026 Global Longevity Physician Survey, which gathered responses from physicians across six continents, revealed strong momentum in the field. According to the survey, 99% of longevity physicians reported rising patient demand, with 44% noting growth of more than 50% in just three years. Additionally, 83% believe healthcare will shift decisively toward prevention, while 76% expect major lifespan extension to become realistic within 20 years.
Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, expressed strong optimism about the partnership. "By joining hands with the Geneva College of Longevity Science, we are bringing world-class Swiss academic standards to the UAE and giving healthcare professionals across the Gulf the training this new era demands. Our vision is to transform Gulf Medical University from the No. 1 private medical university in the Gulf into the world’s leading medical university".
Dr Dominik Thor, President of the Geneva College of Longevity Science, highlighted the importance of credible education in this emerging field. "Longevity medicine is becoming an essential component of modern healthcare, but the field urgently needs education, clinical standards, and credible training infrastructure. Through partnerships with leading universities, GCLS is helping to establish the academic foundations globally, and Gulf Medical University is the ideal partner to build that infrastructure in the Middle East".
The MoU establishes a phased collaboration that begins with education and professional development. There is scope to expand into co-branded conferences, workshops, symposiums, and other joint activities as the partnership matures. All programmes will fully comply with relevant health authorities.
Admissions are now open for the 2026-2027 batch, with applications for the first cohort of these longevity programmes open ahead of the September/October 2026 intake. Over 50 programmes are available at Gulf Medical University.
This collaboration represents a pioneering effort to professionalize longevity medicine education in the region. By focusing on prevention, precision health, and healthy ageing, the programmes address the growing global demand for forward-looking healthcare solutions.
The establishment of the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine is expected to attract healthcare professionals from across the GCC and beyond, creating a regional center of excellence in longevity science education and research.
Experts believe this initiative will contribute significantly to the UAE’s healthcare transformation goals while fostering innovation at the intersection of clinical practice, technology, and preventive care.
