The UAEU Medical Simulation Center (iStar) is a 4,000 square meter, state-of-the-art
academic simulation center within the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS). The Center
is purpose-built to advance healthcare education, clinical assessment, and patient
safety through structured simulation-based programs. 
The facility includes fully equipped clinical simulation rooms, standardized patient
suites, procedural training areas, immersive virtual simulation environments, and
integrated control and debriefing spaces. These environments are designed to replicate
real-world healthcare settings
while maintaining psychologically safe learning conditions.
iStar delivers experiential learning that is fully aligned with the CMHS educational
plan, curriculum learning objectives, and competency-based medical education (CBME)
frameworks. All simulation activities are structured around defined outcomes, measurable
competencies, and international standards in Simulation Based education (SBE), and
Simulation Based Assessment (SBA) as well.
Beyond skills acquisition, the Center functions as a comprehensive simulation program
supporting undergraduate and postgraduate education, interprofessional training, faculty
development, high-stakes clinical assessment, and simulation-based research. Through
structured governance, quality assurance processes, and evidence-informed practices, iStar contributes to the preparation of
practice-ready healthcare professionals and the advancement of patient safety across
the UAE.
Mission
To advance patient safety and care quality by delivering immersive, interprofessional
education, rigorous assessment, and impactful research. We create psychologically
safe, structured environments for deliberate practice and high-quality debriefing,
embed simulation across curricula and care pathways, and cultivate shared mental models
and clinical judgment so learning reliably transfers to the bedside.
Vision
To be the UAE’s leading academic hub for simulation-based education, assessment, and
research, setting regional benchmarks for patient safety and quality of care through
cross-institutional collaboration and globally recognized practice.
- Integrity & Professionalism: We uphold ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professionalism in all simulation
activities, fostering trust, respect, and accountability.
- Safety & Learner-Centeredness: We prioritize psychological safety and structured, supportive learning environments,
recognizing that patient safety begins with safe learning spaces.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: We promote interprofessional education and collaboration across disciplines and
institutions to enhance teamwork and healthcare outcomes.
- Advancement through Excellence & Innovation: We strive for excellence in simulation-based education, assessment, and research
by applying evidence-informed practices and embracing emerging technologies.
- Real-World Integration: We align simulation with real-world healthcare systems to strengthen institutional
readiness, quality improvement, and system-wide patient care.
Welcome to the UAEU Medical Simulation Center (iStar).
The rapid evolution of healthcare demands not only knowledge, but competence, critical
thinking, teamwork, and systems awareness. At iStar, we are committed to advancing
healthcare education through structured, evidence-informed simulation that strengthens
clinical judgment, enhances patient safety, and prepares learners for real-world practice.
Our Center serves as a core academic facility within the College of Medicine and Health
Sciences, supporting competency-based education, structured clinical assessment, interprofessional
training, and research. By integrating high-fidelity simulation environments, standardized
patient programs, immersive technologies, and rigorous debriefing methodologies, we
create meaningful experiential learning aligned with international standards.
Beyond technical skill development, iStar emphasizes professionalism, communication,
collaboration, and reflective practice. We believe that safe patient care begins with
safe learning environments, where learners are challenged, supported, and guided toward
excellence.
Through strong governance, continuous quality improvement, and strategic partnerships,
we aim to position iStar as a national reference center for simulation-based education
and assessment, contributing to healthcare workforce readiness and institutional excellence.
We invite faculty, learners, healthcare partners, and researchers to collaborate with
us as we continue to innovate and strengthen healthcare education for the future.
Dr. Taleb Almansoor
Director, UAEU Medical Simulation Center (iStar)
Associate Professor of Radiology
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
United Arab Emirates University
Executive Leadership
Dr. Taleb Almansoor
Center Executive Director
Associate Professor of Radiology, CMHS
Provides strategic academic leadership and ensures integration of simulation within
the CMHS curriculum, research agenda, and accreditation frameworks.
Operations & Program Management
Mr. Mohammed Abuzitoon, MEd, CHSE-A, CHSOS-A
Operations Manager
Leads strategic development, accreditation planning, systems integration, quality
assurance, and simulation program expansion.
Ms. Evelyn Folorunsho
Deputy Operations Manager | SP program coordinator| Clinical Skills Specialist
Oversees clinical skills delivery, session coordination, and supports faculty engagement
and learner experience.
Mr. Shanmugam Pandian
Administrative Officer
Coordinates scheduling, documentation, operational logistics, and institutional communication.
Ms. Nadia Al Kaabi | Executive Secretary
Coordinates scheduling, documentation, operational logistics, and institutional communication.
Mr. Ibrahim Taha | AHA Coordinator| Senior Simulation SpecialistSupports scenario development, simulation facilitation, assessment activities, and
educator collaboration.
Mr. Mohammad Illias Saifullah | Senior Simulation TechnicianManages simulator maintenance, equipment readiness, and technical preparation of sessions.
Ms. Thripti Vijayakumar | I.T Manager| Senior Simulation & AV Systems Specialist
Oversees audio-visual systems, recording infrastructure, simulation technology integration,
and technical troubleshooting.
The UAEU Medical Simulation Center (iStar) encompasses a comprehensive, purpose-built
simulation environment designed to support education, assessment, interprofessional
training, and research across the continuum of healthcare learning.
Spanning 4,000 square meters within CMHS, the Center integrates clinical simulation
spaces, assessment suites, immersive technologies, and structured debriefing environments
to ensure alignment with competency-based education and international best practices.
Clinical Simulation Environments
iStar includes specialty-focused clinical simulation rooms designed to replicate real-world
healthcare settings:
- Operating Theater Simulation Room
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Simulation Room
- Emergency Room (ER) Simulation Room
- Pediatric Simulation Room
- Obstetric Simulation Suite
Each environment is equipped with hospital-grade infrastructure, patient monitoring
systems, and integrated audio-visual capabilities to support scenario-based learning,
team training, and structured performance review.
Standardized Patient & Assessment Suites
- 24 OSCE Examination Rooms
Dedicated spaces for structured clinical examinations and standardized patient encounters,
supporting formative and high-stakes assessment.
- Standardized Patient (SP) Lounges
Private preparation and coordination areas ensuring professionalism, case standardization,
and operational efficiency.
These suites enable reliable, defensible, and scalable clinical assessment processes
aligned with competency frameworks.
Skills & Procedural Training Areas
- 5 Clinical Skills Training Rooms
Designed for hands-on procedural training ranging from foundational skills to advanced
interventions.
- 2 Multipurpose Simulation Rooms
Flexible spaces adaptable for workshops, team training, small-group instruction, and
scenario-based exercises.
Immersive & Digital Simulation
- Immersive Simulation Room
Configurable environment for advanced experiential learning and systems-based simulations.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Room
Dedicated space for immersive digital training in anatomy, procedures, and emerging
medical technologies.
Debriefing & Learning Support
- 8 Debriefing Rooms
Structured reflection spaces equipped with audio-visual playback systems to facilitate
guided debriefing and performance analysis.
- Large Lecture Hall
Supports academic sessions, faculty development, workshops, and interprofessional
educational activities.
Integrated Infrastructure
All clinical and assessment spaces are supported by centralized control systems, audio-visual
recording capabilities, and operational oversight to ensure quality assurance, learner
tracking, and educational integrity.
