16 February 2015
Sidra launches a new graduate program as part of its commitment to building future leaders in healthcare

Doha - Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) announced that its National Development Team will be renewing its commitment to supporting local talent in pursuing careers in science and medicine by offering the updated Education Grant and the Graduate Associate programs, commencing in 2015. 

The Education Grant supports Qatari students (and those with Qatari mothers) in the study of medical and clinical degrees in select universities throughout the world, while the Graduate Associate program offers Qatari graduates who have successfully completed their Education Grants the opportunity to train for a medical career within Sidra. Through these programs, 165 Qatari medical students have been sponsored to pursue medical studies and careers at Sidra to date.

"Sidra's National Development Team takes pride in the role we want to play in building future leaders in the healthcare sector and supporting the advancement of medical knowledge and services in Qatar. We are constantly striving towards building a world-class graduate development program and providing the students with valuable opportunities to learn from some of the best and well-known pioneers in the medical field. To realize this goal, we will be immersing graduates into a structured program that has a range of learning and development opportunities that will support them to achieve their personal career vision," said Dr. Eiman Al Ansari, Director of National Development at Sidra.

The new Graduate Associate program provides students with a variety of development opportunities, including an orientation, job rotations in up to four different departments, corporate learning and development programs, a mentoring partnership between the Graduate Associate and a selected senior employee at Sidra, and a month-long Emerging Leaders program.

To kick off the National Development Team's agenda in 2015, Sidra will be attending the UK Career Fair for Qatari Students in London on February 20-21, 2015. The event offers students a unique opportunity to learn about careers in medicine from distinguished physicians, researchers and allied health professionals in the field. Career fair attendees in London will be invited to become part of Qatar's future healthcare talent by applying for Sidra's Education Grant and Graduate Associate programs.

To give a glimpse into the lives of Sidra's world-leading medical professionals and encourage students to pursue studies in science and medicine, Sidra's Executive Vice Chief Medical Officer Dr. Abdulla Al Kaabi will be discussing his personal journey towards discovering his passion for healthcare. "It is always humbling to see the incredible effort and commitment our students put into pursuing their dreams. We strongly hope that we can inspire them in some way to dedicate their lives to helping others through science and medicine. Their contribution will have a significant impact for generations to come and in delivering on the promise of Qatar's National Vision 2030," said Dr. Al Kaabi.

-Ends-

About Sidra Medical and Research Center
Sidra Medical and Research Center, currently under construction in Doha, Qatar, will be a groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution, focusing on the health and wellbeing of women and children regionally and globally. Sidra will be a fully digital facility, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in clinical, research and business functions. Sidra will initially have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase.

Sidra represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who serves as its Chairperson. The high-tech facility will not only provide world-class patient care but will also help build Qatar's scientific expertise and resources. Sidra will be funded by a US$7.9 billion endowment from Qatar Foundation, one of the largest endowments of its kind in the world.

Sidra is part of a dynamic research and education environment in Qatar that includes leading international institutions, such as Sidra's academic partner Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Through strong partnerships with leading institutions around the world, Sidra is creating an intellectual ecosystem to help advance scientific discovery through investment in medical research.

Sidra will have a unique working structure with inter-professional collaboration at the heart, providing the best holistic care for patients and an unparalleled learning environment for its medical professionals. Sidra will combine the best in design, technology, operations and practices from medical centers around the world - to offer its employees an environment that is at once familiar and extraordinary.

Doha, Qatar (EST +7 hours)
Farhana Habib-Coelho
Email: fcoelho@sidra.org
Tel: +(974) 4404-2176

© Press Release 2015