Dubai Medical University (DMU) launches the UAE’s first Herbal and Integrative Medicine Summer Internship, an innovative program from July 1 to 29, 2025. This innovative initiative is tailored for DMU students from the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of traditional healing and modern scientific innovation.

To introduce the program, Dr. Naglaa Ashmawy conducted a live webinar on May 27, 2025. The webinar welcomed students from all three colleges, offering them a detailed tour of the internship’s themes and outcomes. Dr. Ashmawy emphasized that integrative medicine is becoming essential in modern healthcare, and this program equips medical students with the skills to combine traditional and evidence-based practices, broadening their approach to patient care.

The internship features four key thematic modules, each representing a vital area of integrative healthcare.

• AI-Powered Complementary Medicine
  Exploring how artificial intelligence transforms herbal therapies through predictive tools and personalized treatment design.
•  Herbal Medicine: From Lab to Market
  Focusing on safe preparation, phytochemical understanding, and commercialization of evidence-based herbal products.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  Introducing the history, core therapies, and acupuncture techniques of TCM, with relevance to modern integrative care.
• Foundations of Homeopathy
  Covering key principles, remedy formulation, and clinical case management within homeopathic practice.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the internship is its hands-on component, hosted at the DMU Green House. Here, students will work collaboratively to develop their own AI-driven herbal products. These products will be presented to a panel of researchers and industry professionals, offering students a chance to receive expert feedback and refine their innovations. This experiential learning approach not only enhances their research and development skills but also fosters creativity and critical thinking.

Students who successfully complete the internship will be awarded a certificate from Dubai Medical University, recognizing their efforts and achievements in this program.

Dr. Naglaa Ashmawy, the internship course leader, commented: “This internship offers an innovative approach to learning by integrating traditional natural therapies with modern technology, including applications of artificial intelligence. It allows students to explore the evolving role of integrative medicine within a structured and research-informed framework.”