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Thumbay Group said in a statement that it had signed the agreement with Geneva College of Longevity Science in Switzerland to establish the Thumbay Institute of Longevity Medicine at Gulf Medical University. The institute will offer the UAE’s first academic programs dedicated to longevity medicine, beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. The phased collaboration is expected to expand beyond education into joint research projects and events while seeking UAE accreditation for the new qualifications.
The six professional certificate programs will each run for three months in a hybrid format and target an intake of around 100 participants. They cover clinical longevity medicine, longevity physiotherapy, longevity nutrition, longevity fitness, peptide medicine and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Gulf Medical University, described in the announcement as the largest private medical university in the Gulf, will deliver the courses to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen stated in the announcement, “By joining hands with the Geneva College of Longevity Science, we are bringing world-class Swiss academic standards to the UAE and giving healthcare professionals across the Gulf the training this new era demands.” He added that the goal is to elevate Gulf Medical University from its position as the leading private medical university in the Gulf to a world-leading institute. The programs aim to address growing demand for specialized training in preventive and precision health approaches.
A 2026 Global Longevity Physician Survey by the Geneva College of Longevity Science found that 99 percent of respondents reported rising patient demand for longevity services. The survey data showed that 44 percent of practices had experienced more than 50 percent growth over the past three years, while 83 percent of physicians had shifted their focus toward prevention. Additionally, 76 percent expected meaningful lifespan extension to become possible within the next 20 years.
The announcement aligns with regional attention to demographic changes, as a World Bank case study on the UAE projected that those aged 65 and older will comprise 16 percent of the population by 2050. A PwC report on longevity and ageing populations in GCC countries noted a 2021 joint venture between Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park and Deep Knowledge Analytics to map the UAE’s longevity industry spanning biotech, fintech and insurance sectors. The World Health Organization has separately projected that the global population aged 60 and above will double by 2050.
Dr. Dominik Thor said in the statement, “Longevity medicine is becoming an essential component of modern healthcare, but the field urgently needs education, clinical standards, and credible training infrastructure.” He identified Gulf Medical University as the ideal partner to develop that infrastructure across the Middle East. The certificate programs will focus on equipping participants with practical skills drawn from internationally developed curricula.
