The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has adopted new Clinical Training Guidelines aimed at strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and clinical training facilities, ensuring consistent, high-quality academic and practical experiences for students enrolled in health profession programmes.
The guidelines establish a unified national framework for clinical training governance, a core pillar of health professions education. They are designed to integrate theoretical learning with hands-on practice, reinforcing clinical training as a critical link between academic education and labour market needs, and supporting the graduation of qualified, job-ready healthcare professionals.
His Excellency Ibrahim Fikri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector, said the guidelines complement the Ministry’s recent decision on governing work experience obligations in HEIs. He noted that the framework supports efforts to strengthen health education, align academic and practical training, and prepare qualified national talent for the healthcare sector. He added that the move reflects the Ministry’s commitment to unified standards that enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the healthcare system and support the UAE’s vision for an integrated education and healthcare ecosystem.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) also welcomed the adoption of the guidelines, highlighting their role in building a resilient and future-ready healthcare workforce. His Excellency Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said the guidelines will strengthen a comprehensive national framework for developing healthcare professionals by prioritising professional excellence and workforce readiness from the earliest stages of education.
Dr. Al Rand added that standardising clinical training frameworks helps align education outcomes with the evolving needs of the healthcare system, while ensuring clinical skills development based on competence, professional responsibility and patient safety. He stressed that strong collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare entities is essential to advancing evidence-based, knowledge-driven health policies and sustaining long-term healthcare capacity.
The National Institute for Health Specialties described the guidelines as a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of practical training across hospitals and healthcare facilities. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Houqani, Secretary General of the Institute, said the framework ensures structured, high-quality clinical training based on unified standards, enabling students to build competencies, transition smoothly into the workforce and contribute effectively to the healthcare sector’s advancement.
The guidelines apply to all health profession programmes that require clinical training under the National Qualifications Framework, excluding postgraduate pathways such as internships, residencies and fellowships. They emphasise structured clinical training to help students gain practical experience, develop professional skills and understand healthcare operations, while also supporting facilities in building national competencies and strengthening collaboration with HEIs.
They also introduce a comprehensive governance model covering planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of clinical training. Clear roles and responsibilities are defined for HEIs, healthcare facilities, supervisors and the Ministry, ensuring quality assurance and alignment with national strategies and labour market needs.
Formal, documented partnerships between HEIs and clinical training facilities are mandated through binding agreements covering training scope, capacity, supervisor qualifications, assessment processes, and legal and insurance responsibilities. The guidelines further highlight the importance of qualified supervision, adequate learning resources and progressive, competency-based training environments, supported by systematic documentation and continuous performance monitoring.
The initiative aligns with MoHESR’s broader efforts to regulate work experience in higher education through a unified national framework that defines responsibilities, supervision and monitoring mechanisms to ensure consistent, high-quality training outcomes nationwide.
