A Milestone Collaboration: GLIDE and UAEU Sign MoU to Propel Infectious Disease Elimination

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the nation's flagship higher education institution, and the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) have forged a pivotal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 9, 2026, in Abu Dhabi. This agreement marks a significant step in advancing research and capacity building for infectious disease elimination, positioning UAE universities at the forefront of global public health efforts. The collaboration underscores UAEU's commitment to tackling pressing health challenges through innovative academic research, aligning seamlessly with the UAE's vision for a knowledge-based economy driven by cutting-edge science.

United Arab Emirates University, established in 1976 as the first university in the UAE and located in Al Ain, has long been a hub for multidisciplinary research. With its College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) leading the charge, UAEU boasts expertise in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health via its Institute of Public Health (IPH). This MoU with GLIDE amplifies these strengths, fostering joint initiatives that could redefine disease control strategies not just locally but globally.

Unpacking GLIDE: A Beacon in Global Disease Elimination

GLIDE, formally the Global Institute for Disease Elimination, is an Abu Dhabi-based think-and-do tank launched in November 2019. Born from a visionary partnership between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—stemming from their 2011 pledge against polio—GLIDE focuses on accelerating the elimination of preventable infectious diseases of poverty. Its core targets include malaria, lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis (river blindness), and polio.

The institute operates through three pillars: advocacy to raise awareness, capacity strengthening via technical support and training for ministries of health, and operational research to identify gaps and spur innovation. With leadership like CEO Thomas R. Frieden, a former New York City Health Commissioner and CDC Director, GLIDE has already notched partnerships, including a prior MoU with Khalifa University in October 2025. This new tie-up with UAEU extends that momentum, leveraging academic prowess for real-world impact.

For higher education professionals and students, GLIDE represents a gateway to influential global health networks. Opportunities in research fellowships and training programs abound, making it an attractive prospect for those pursuing careers in public health academia. Check out research jobs in the UAE to see how such partnerships create openings.

Core Objectives of the UAEU-GLIDE Partnership

At its heart, the MoU establishes a robust framework for collaborative research targeting infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and other public health priorities. NTDs, a group of 20 conditions primarily affecting impoverished communities, cause blindness, disfigurement, and disability, yet are preventable with existing tools. While the UAE itself has low domestic prevalence due to advanced healthcare—marking 35 years of global NTD combat since 1990—this partnership emphasizes global elimination efforts, supporting UAE's international health diplomacy.

• Joint research projects on disease surveillance, diagnostics, and interventions.
• Capacity-building through workshops, lectures, and internships.
• Student and faculty exchanges to build expertise.
• Knowledge exchange on best practices in elimination strategies.

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health and Prevention at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, highlighted, “This MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthening research and capacity in disease elimination.” Such synergies promise to elevate UAEU's research output, already impressive with 365 granted patents and top Arab rankings (QS #5 in region).

UAEU's Institute of Public Health: A Pillar of Excellence

Central to this partnership is UAEU's Institute of Public Health (IPH), housed within CMHS. Established to advance education, research, and community service, IPH specializes in epidemiology—the study of disease patterns and determinants—biostatistics for data-driven insights, and public health policy. Faculty here lead PhD and Master's programs in Public Health, renewed recently, training the next generation amid growing demands for skilled epidemiologists.

Recent IPH research spans metabolic syndrome prevalence in Emiratis, health professional education evaluations, and dissertations on UAE Healthy Future Cohort studies. Integrating GLIDE's focus on NTDs like LF (affecting 4.7 million in MENA historically) and malaria will enrich these efforts, providing students hands-on projects with global relevance. For aspiring academics, faculty positions at UAEU offer chances to contribute to such high-impact work.

Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases: UAE's Global Leadership

Neglected tropical diseases disproportionately burden low-income populations, with global prevalence affecting over a billion people. In MENA, hookworm impacts 4.7 million, fascioliasis 0.9 million, though UAE's status is controlled thanks to robust strategies.WHO NTD Data The UAE's Reaching the Last Mile initiative, under HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, targets eradicating eight NTDs, aligning perfectly with GLIDE's mission.

This MoU enables UAEU researchers to contribute to cross-border surveillance and intervention modeling, vital as migration introduces risks. Step-by-step, elimination involves mass drug administration, vector control, and health education—areas where IPH's biostatistics shine. The partnership could yield case studies, like modeling LF elimination post-intervention, benefiting regional health systems.

Capacity Building: Empowering the Next Generation of Researchers

Beyond research, the MoU prioritizes human capital. Joint training programs will equip UAEU students with skills in disease modeling, genomic surveillance, and elimination strategies. Internships at GLIDE expose learners to real-time projects, such as Falcon Awards winners advancing integrated elimination.

• Workshops on advanced epidemiology tools.
• Guest lectures by GLIDE experts like Dr. Frieden.
• Student exchanges fostering international networks.
• Faculty development for grant writing and publications.

This addresses UAE's need for 10,000+ health researchers by 2031, per national strategies. Graduates can pursue academic careers, with demand surging in public health amid post-pandemic priorities.

Alignment with UAE's National Health Agenda

The partnership dovetails with UAE Centennial 2071 goals for health leadership and We the UAE 2031, emphasizing R&D investment. Recent moves like the National Infection Prevention Guidelines 2026 and epidemic preparedness reinforce this. UAEU's role amplifies, with IPH contributing to UAE Healthy Future Study tracking chronic and infectious risks.

Economically, disease elimination saves billions; polio eradication alone yields $40-50 ROI per dollar. For UAEU, this boosts QS rankings (#229 globally) and attracts talent, vital for Emiratization in academia.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Impacts

Experts praise the MoU. Prof. Ahmed Murad, UAEU Provost, noted its potential for transformative research. Globally, it strengthens MENA's voice in WHO NTD roadmaps, targeting 2030 goals. Locally, enhanced surveillance protects expatriate-heavy UAE from outbreaks.

Challenges include funding and skilled workforce, but solutions like GLIDE's grants mitigate. Real-world case: GLIDE's polio pledge optimism amid setbacks.

Photo by Beth Gallant on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Innovations and Opportunities Ahead

Looking forward, expect joint labs, AI-driven surveillance, and publications. This could spawn spin-offs, like UAEU-led NTD vaccines. For students, scholarships and postdocs await; faculty, leadership roles.

In summary, the UAEU-GLIDE MoU heralds a new era. Aspiring researchers, explore university jobs, rate professors, or career advice at AcademicJobs.com. UAE higher ed beckons with purpose-driven paths.