The College of Medicine at Dubai Medical University delivered an immersive Master of Health Professions Education Leadership Bootcamp as part of the Leadership, Change Management and Governance (HPE122) module. The bootcamp provided participants with an interactive learning experience focused on systems thinking, leadership and governance in health professions education.

Moving beyond traditional lectures, the bootcamp created a dynamic environment where participants built, simulated and analyzed complex educational systems. Through hands-on engagement, participants explored how leadership decisions influence governance structures, institutional dynamics and system-level outcomes.

The sessions were led by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, a leading figure in health professions education, who guided participants through the principles of systems thinking and leadership in complex educational environments. Prof. Salah Eldin Kassab, an internationally recognized expert in medical education, facilitated discussions on governance, curriculum transformation and the dynamics of educational ecosystems.

The workshops were coordinated by Dr. Shifan Khanday, who introduced artificial intelligence as a tool to support leadership development and learning analytics. Participants also engaged in LEGO Serious Play activities, constructing models that illustrated the interconnected systems shaping educational institutions. These models demonstrated how decisions ripple across organizations.

A leadership simulation titled “HPE System Shock” further challenged participants to respond to evolving institutional scenarios while assuming roles such as dean, faculty representative and quality assurance officer. Teams adapted their models in real-time to observe how systems respond, stabilize or shift under pressure.

An AI-driven virtual dean further enhanced the experience by analyzing discussions and providing feedback on systems thinking, leadership reasoning and collaborative decision-making.

The bootcamp reflects Dubai Medical University’s continued commitment to advancing innovative approaches to medical education and preparing future healthcare educators and academic leaders.