Undergraduate Students Participate in Industry-Relevant Healthcare Innovation Across Abu Dhabi
A total of 32 undergraduate students from Khalifa University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) participated in a two-week Healthcare Innovation Program organized by both institutions to develop solutions to real-world clinical challenges at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and entrepreneurship.
The program brought together 12 MIT students and 20 Khalifa University undergraduates, who worked in multidisciplinary teams on industry-relevant healthcare challenges. Activities were hosted across the Khalifa University campuses, its 14 research laboratories, as well as leading healthcare institutions in Abu Dhabi, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH), and Sheikh Shakhboot Medical City (SSMC).
The initiative was led by Dr. Kinda Khalaf, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Khalifa University, and Dr. Hermano Krebs, Director, The 77 Robotics Laboratory, MIT, providing interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning experience.
Clinically driven project themes were developed in close collaboration with physicians from CCAD, SRH, and SSMC, representing specialties such as Neurology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health. Students participated in clinical immersion experiences, hands-on design and rapid prototyping, and received mentorship from faculty members and practicing clinicians.
Beyond technical training, the program emphasized cultural exchange and experiential learning. Students took part in cultural and social activities across Abu Dhabi and the UAE, strengthening global networks and fostering mutual understanding between participants from both institutions.
Dr. Hermano Krebs said: “What made this program special was the opportunity for students to step outside the classroom and engage directly with real clinical environments. Working alongside peers from Khalifa University and interacting with clinicians across Abu Dhabi helped them see how engineering, medicine, and design come together in practice. These experiences are important because they show students how ideas evolve into solutions that can genuinely improve patient care, while also building mutual understanding across cultures and healthcare systems.”
Dr. Kinda Khalaf said: “The Khalifa University–MIT Healthcare Innovation Program supports Khalifa University’s strategic objectives by strengthening global academic partnerships, building undergraduate capacity in healthcare technology innovation, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for innovative biomedical research and health technology development. By hosting this collaborative initiative, Khalifa University continues to advance its vision for interdisciplinary, experiential, and globally connected education, while equipping students with research and employability skills and preparing the next generation of innovators to address complex healthcare challenges at local, regional, and global levels.”
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
