Students across GEMS Education schools will have new opportunities to explore careers in healthcare after the education group signed a partnership agreement with Aster DM Healthcare. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workplace by giving students direct exposure to the healthcare sector through internships, mentorship opportunities and leadership engagement activities.
The initiative forms part of GEMS Education’s wider strategy to strengthen career readiness and expand industry-linked learning opportunities for students. It also builds on an existing relationship between the two organisations, which previously included health and wellbeing initiatives across GEMS schools in the UAE.
Healthcare Internships to Help Students Explore Future Careers
The partnership will be delivered through Aster Discover, a programme launched in 2022 to provide secondary school students with practical insights into healthcare careers. Through the initiative, students will gain exposure to both clinical and non-clinical roles across the healthcare ecosystem. The programme is designed to help young people better understand the range of career pathways available within the sector while developing workplace awareness and professional skills.
Nearly 50 students have already participated in five editions of Aster Discover. Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, highlighted the growing interest in healthcare careers among students.
“Through our partnership with Aster DM Healthcare, we are creating meaningful opportunities for students to experience the realities of the sector first-hand, from clinical environments and healthcare operations to leadership and innovation.”
More than a quarter of GEMS alumni pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, allied health, healthcare sciences and related fields. The organisation believes that greater exposure to industry environments can help students make more informed decisions about their future education and career pathways.
Industry Partnership Supports Career Readiness Beyond the Classroom
The agreement reflects a growing emphasis across the education sector on providing students with real-world experiences before they enter higher education or employment. As employers increasingly value practical skills alongside academic achievement, schools are expanding partnerships with industry leaders to help students develop confidence, workplace knowledge and professional networks.
Under the new framework, internships will be designed in line with regulatory requirements and patient safety guidelines. While students will gain valuable experience within healthcare settings, some clinical shadowing opportunities may be limited to ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Aster Discover Programme to Welcome New Student Cohorts
The programme will welcome two cohorts of 20 GEMS students each year. Placements will take place during the July-August and December school holidays and will run for two weeks. Students will spend time across healthcare operations as well as selected support and enabling functions, providing a broader understanding of how healthcare organisations operate. Alongside workplace placements, participants will take part in a leadership engagement series featuring talks, interactive discussions and mentoring opportunities with senior healthcare professionals.
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, said the programme aims to help students better understand the sector and the opportunities it offers.
“Aster Discover is our initiative to introduce students to the inner workings of the healthcare ecosystem, inspiring curiosity and encouraging them to actively explore careers in the sector.”
For students considering careers in medicine, healthcare sciences or related fields, the programme offers an opportunity to gain practical insights that are difficult to replicate in a classroom setting. As schools continue to place greater emphasis on career readiness, partnerships such as this are helping students connect their learning to future opportunities while gaining a clearer understanding of the industries they may one day join.
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