Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) commitment to building and cultivating human capacity in the fields of biomedical sciences, genomics and precision medicine has been boosted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital.

The MoU establishes mutual cooperation and strategic partnership through various programs and research activities relevant to Qatar’s national strategic priorities. These include the development of initiatives covering exercise science and the use of precision medicine to support physical activity and rehabilitation from injury. To assist, both parties have committed to establishing beneficial and complementary interaction concerning the College of Health and Life Sciences’ (CHLS) Joint Degree Master of Exercise Science program. Cooperation also extends to the development of specialized courses and workshops, as well as the organization and participation in seminars, conferences and other activities.  

Knowledge building is at the heart of the three-year agreement, with both parties committed to providing vocational training opportunities for HBKU students. Graduate students will also benefit from participation in joint research activities and studies covering relevant projects and programs. Additionally, the MoU makes provisions for cooperation in the field of education and training of senior members of Aspetar staff through HBKU’s Executive Education Center. Both parties will also create a working team to explore opportunities for mutual cooperation and, upon agreement, form a joint executive committee to develop programs, submit requests for projects, promote the partnership, and more. 

Dr. Edward Stuenkel, Founding Dean of CHLS, said: “Having hosted the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, and with FIFA World Cup 2022 on the horizon, Qatar has firmly established itself as a global sporting hub. The country’s sporting infrastructure is second-to-none and supported by high-quality training and medical facilities. Sport is also an essential feature of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly when it comes to the development of a physically fit and healthy population. The more Qatar embraces sport the greater the need for excellence in exercise science and relevant forms of precision medicine becomes.”

“To this end, we’re delighted to be building closer ties with such an esteemed authority on sports and exercise medicine. While the CHLS will be an obvious beneficiary, we’re nevertheless confident that the whole HBKU community stands to gain from closer ties with Aspetar. That’s because we employ a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning across our focus areas, including the health and life sciences. Moreover, we are adamant that what we achieve with Aspetar will provide inspiration for similarly ambitious partnerships and initiatives in the years ahead.”

Dr Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, Aspetar Chief Executive Officer, said: “In line with Aspetar’s strategic objective to provide world best integrated medical education and training, this partnership will allow HBKU students to gain practical and hands-on training at Aspetar and benefit from our world-class facilities and diverse qualified experts. We are committed to support a vibrant clinical and academic environment by assisting the next generation of healthcare professionals through providing and supporting comprehensive, evidence-based, and interprofessional Sport and Exercise Medicine and Science education”.

“Aspetar team of professionals have provided medical services in some of the worlds’ biggest sporting events including the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and the IAAF World Athletics Championships; is a standout factor in the education which HBKU students will benefit from” he added. 

Aspetar is the world's leading hospital in orthopedics and sports medicine and the first of its kind in the Middle East, having successful partnerships with local and international sport and educational institutions. Aspetar is accredited as a reference center for the region by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as an IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and has been awarded the Diamond level by Accreditation Canada International.

More information about HBKU’s CHLS and the college’s partnerships can be found online at chls.hbku.edu.qa, and more information about Aspetar can be found online at www.aspetar.com.