Initiated Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Khalifa University of Science and Technology Board of Trustees, and Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Khalifa University announced the launch of the ‘Body Museum’ at its College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) on the Main Campus in Abu Dhabi, reiterating its commitment to delivering world-class education and enhancing the healthcare ecosystem through discovery and research. This is the only Body Museum in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and one of the largest in the world outside Germany.
His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman, Department of Community Development (DCD), Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Khalifa University, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University, in addition to members of the University’s senior leadership team were present on the occasion.
The exposition of dissected human bodies focuses on presenting both regional and systems-based anatomy in healthy adult individuals. There is also a dedicated section highlighting the effects of lifestyle diseases and pathological processes on human organs. Thus, the Body Museum at Khalifa University offers an excellent opportunity for students from other academic institutions, especially schools and universities, to visit and understand human anatomy, learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and increase their knowledge of healthcare and medicine.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “The Body Museum is the perfect addition to CMHS and Khalifa University, a consistently top-ranked institution for higher education and research in the UAE. This museum also reiterates our commitment to advancing knowledge for the betterment of humanity as well as promoting Khalifa University’s legacy and culture to lead, innovate, inspire, and transform. The first museum in the country dedicated to medicine and health sciences is also in line with the UAE’s emphasis on creating a world-class healthcare ecosystem that ensures not only in providing care for the needy but also educating and informing, while developing trained and fully-equipped medical professionals.”
Dr. John Rock, Founding Dean, Khalifa University CMHS, said: “As the Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences continues to make consistent progress in developing human capital, the addition of this Body Museum will play a vital role in raising awareness about medical education in the UAE and the region. We firmly believe these exhibits will encourage the community to keep away from habits harmful to the human body, while serving as a simplified anatomy lesson that combines visitor education and satisfying curiosity.”
Dr. Dietrich Lorke, Founding Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, expressed his gratitude to the Higher authorities for providing students with these excellent learning tools and allowing the public to understand the miracles of the human body. “This collection of plastinated specimens is unique in the world,” he said.
The Khalifa University CMHS Body Museum is a not-for-profit initiative aimed at inspiring visitors and residents of the UAE to adopt a healthy lifestyle and consider studying medicine and health sciences. Moreover, with plastination, it is possible to permanently display the inside of a body in a more fascinating and aesthetic way. These plastinated specimens are practically imperishable, allowing them to be employed for the training of future doctors and for educating the public about the inner workings of the human body.
The exhibition will be one of the key elements of the Khalifa University CMHS, which currently offers a graduate-entry MD program that encompasses five longitudinal strands: Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Medicine and Society, Physicianship, and Research, Technology and Innovation.
Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
9 February 2023
