University honours newest graduates – 3000 miles away

Published On Mon 6 Feb 2017 by Roddy Isles

The University of Dundee is celebrating the graduation of our latest round of successful students – in Kuwait.

A ceremony in Kuwait has seen almost 50 new graduates handed their awards in Diabetes Care, Education and Management. The University has been delivering postgraduate education in Kuwait for five years, helping tackle the country’s chronic diabetes problem. It has been estimated that up to 1 in 4 of the adult population of Kuwait suffers from the disease, which equates to almost 700,000 people.

The University of Dundee has been central to establishing world-leading standards of diabetes research and treatment in Tayside. The expertise which has underpinned that revolution in diabetes care is now being applied in Kuwait, in partnership with the Dasman Diabetes Institute and the Ministry of Health in Kuwait.

Professor Gary Mires, Dean of the School of Medicine at Dundee, said, “We are delighted to honour our newest graduates, who can go on to have a significant impact in clinical practice here in Kuwait and make a real difference for diabetes patients.

“Our Diabetes Care, Education & Management programme and the relationship between the Dasman Diabetes Institute and the University of Dundee started after Professors Hilal Al Sayer and Kazem Behbehani in Kuwait identified the need to ensure the highest possible levels of diabetes healthcare for patients.

“All of us working together – the Dasman Institute, the University, NHS Tayside and the Kuwait Ministry of Health – has led to a unique, sustainable programme integrating education, clinical improvement, management and research.”

Around 200 graduates of the programme are now working to support the development of diabetes healthcare provision across Kuwait.

Professor Hilal Al Sayer, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Daman Diabetes Institute, told graduates, “You have accomplished something of great magnitude, and of that you must be proud. Your perseverance and hard work are a testament to your success and I thank you for the difference you will make in many a life in the future.”

Nehad Taha is among the Masters graduates of the programme. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “It is gratifying to see how I matured and became proficient and ready to tackle every challenge to further my life-long career in diabetes.” 

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Corporate Communications
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384910
Mobile: 07800 581902
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk