A total of 285 doctors and nurses celebrated the start of their professional careers yesterday at a prestigious conferring ceremony honouring their dedication and academic excellence.
The 17th Conferring Ceremony of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain was held at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa. The event was attended by graduates, their families and high-ranking officials.
The ceremony recognised the achievements of 168 medical graduates and 117 graduates from the undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes.
The event was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
In attendance were Supreme Council for Health chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Education Minister and Higher Education Council board of trustees chairman Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma.
Senior RCSI representatives present included RCSI president Professor Michael Kerin, RCSI Bahrain president Professor Sameer Otoom and RCSI Dublin vice-chancellor and chief executive officer Professor Cathal Kelly.
Valedictorian Dr Khudair
Special awards were presented to students who exemplified exceptional academic standards. Among the medical graduates, valedictorian Dr Aiman Khudair was awarded the Medicine Overall Gold Medal.
Dr Simple Joseph received multiple honours, including the Degree Award Marks Gold Medal, the Senior Cycle Silver Medal, and the Professor Niall O’Higgins Prize in Surgery. She was also presented with the Professor John Murphy Prize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Professor Charlotte Kamel Prize in Psychiatry.
Dr Abdulrahman Alrujaib was awarded the Senior Cycle Bronze Medal, Dr Sama Thiab received the Professor James Finucane Prize in Medicine, Dr Janan Alradhi was awarded the Professor Joe McMenamin Prize in Paediatrics, and Dr Taim Akhal received the Professor David Whitford Prize in General Practice.
In the School of Nursing and Midwifery, valedictorian Nurse Zahra Asseri received the Nursing Overall Gold Medal. Nurse Rawan Aldoseri received the BSc Nursing Silver Medal, Nurse Noora Alrowaiei received the BSc Nursing Bronze Medal, and Nurse Maryam Gerashi was awarded the Rufaida Al-Aslamia Award in Nursing. Nurse Mohamed Restam received the MSc in Nursing Overall Gold Medal.
From the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Farida Elkhamisy was awarded the MSc by Research from RCSI in Dublin.
In a defining moment, graduates formally recited their professional oath, reaffirming their commitment to upholding high ethical standards, compassion in patient care, and lifelong learning.
Dr Juma praised the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the university, highlighting a newly-signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing medical research and education in the kingdom.
He congratulated the graduates and their families, commending the university’s role in preparing qualified professionals who meet the kingdom’s needs. “This is achieved through the delivery of high-quality academic programmes that enhance professional competence,” he noted.
Addressing attendees, Prof Kerin expressed his gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for his patronage. He congratulated the 2026 cohort and praised the strong ties between RCSI and Bahrain.
Prof Otoom affirmed that the university continues its commitment to preparing healthcare professionals capable of contributing to the development of services in the kingdom and globally.
Speaking to the GDN, graduate Dr Fatima Al Alawi described the programme as both challenging and rewarding. She plans to pursue residency training in Bahrain, with an interest in specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology or paediatrics.
Dr Simple Joseph, who clinched five awards, credited the unwavering support of her family and friends for her success. She is set to begin her internship in Qatar, with plans to specialise in emergency medicine.
Valedictorian Dr Aiman Khudair reflected on the unique challenges of starting medical school during the global pandemic, noting that the experience tested their endurance. “Medicine taught us that knowledge is only part of being a doctor; at its heart, medicine is service,” he said.
During the nursing ceremony, Nurse Noora Alrowaiei addressed her fellow graduates, reaffirming the humanitarian role of the nursing profession in serving society.
Since its establishment, RCSI-Bahrain has conferred degrees on more than 3,600 graduates across 38 countries, reflecting its mission to advance healthcare internationally.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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