Al Ain, 27th December, 2014 (WAM) -- Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor of UAE University (UAEU), on Friday opened the Ninth International Scientific Conference for Medical Students in the GCC Countries at the UAEU campus.

Held from 26 to 30 December 2014 under the them 'From Knowledge to Practice'' and under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and UAEU Chancellor, the five-day medical event draws participation of around 1000 students of schools of medicine and health sciences from the GCC, Canada, US, Poland, Britain, Yemena and Sudan.

Dr. Al Noaimi also opened a paralleled medical exhibition for participating colleges of medicine and manufacturers of medical equipments.

In his welcome address, he said the event embodied the vision of the GCC leaders for unity, integration and solidarity and provided a platform for excellence and innovation in the medical field.

The conference, he added, provided a fitting opportunity for the medical community to transfer the event's theme 'From Knowledge to Practice'' into a reality.

He alsopraised efforts of the young minds, which he described as ''strong building blocks'' towards a leading GCC medical union.

Prof. Dennis Templeton, Dean, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAEU, said his school is hosting the conference for the third time, adding that students will present 36 presentations and tens of researches and posters.

The scientific program will include some eminent and well known keynote speakers who have made important contributions in the field of medicine and scientific research. A wide range of workshops, from surgical procedures to traditional medicine, will be included in the program. Workshops will carry CME accreditation. In parallel to the workshops, a number of UAEU graduates and other medical professionals will present talks about their expertise and experience in the field of medicine. e will also include some lively debates.

Dr. Mohammed Al Kaabi, Conference President, said it had been around six years since the UAE University last hosted the 6th Medical Students conference in Al Ain. Since then through continued research efforts there have been significant advances in medicine across the world.

The event will include national and international keynote speakers, oral and poster presentations, a book fair, an exhibition of medical and scientific products and services and much more.