Dubai: The path to becoming a globally licensed doctor should be the ultimate goal for medical aspirants, said Dr. Nimshad Vadakke Thodivil, Founder and CEO of Eduzone Global Campus, during the final day of the Gulf News Edufair 2025 in Dubai.
Speaking on the topic ‘Career Pathways Every Medical Aspirant Should Know’, Dr. Thodivil addressed students and parents, urging them to prioritise licensing requirements when planning their medical education.
He noted that qualifying as a doctor is only half the journey, and stressed the importance of understanding global licensing pathways.
Dr. Thodivil outlined key licensing exams such as India’s Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and the upcoming National Exit Test (NExT), expected in 2026.
He emphasized the importance of early planning due to declining pass rates in FMGE.
He also explained international pathways including the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for the United States and the PLAB/UKMLA for the United Kingdom, detailing eligibility and exam formats.
For those aiming to practise in the UAE, Dr. Thodivil discussed the roles of licensing bodies such as the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH), and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).
A special highlight was the Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Exam (EMREE), which offers final-year medical students and fresh graduates a chance to enter fully funded residency programmes in the UAE.
Scoring 85 percent or above can qualify candidates for interviews and matching with local hospitals.
Additionally, Dr. Thodivil recommended Royal College fellowships such as MRCS, MRCP, and MRCOG for those pursuing specialisation and international careers.
He also pointed to licensing options in Canada (MCC), Australia (AMC), and Saudi Arabia (SMLE) for broader mobility.
