From India to UAE and beyond: Career paths for medical aspirants explored at GN Edufair Dubai

Dubai: Becoming a doctor is only half the journey, the real goal should be to become a licensed physician on a global scale, said Dr Nimshad Vadakke Thodivil, Founder and CEO of Eduzone Global Campus, on the concluding day of Gulf News Edufair 2025 in Dubai.

“Not just in the UAE or India, but it’s important to become a licensed doctor or practitioner globally,” he said while speaking on the topic: ‘Career Pathways Every Medical Aspirant Should Know’.

Addressing students and parents, Dr Thodivil highlighted the importance of understanding the various global licensing pathways available to medical graduates. His presentation included an overview of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India — a requirement for those returning to practise after completing their MBBS abroad. With pass rates declining, he urged aspirants to plan their education with licensing as a priority.

Next exam

India’s forthcoming National Exit Test (NExT), expected to be introduced in 2026, will serve as a common gateway for both licensing and postgraduate admissions.
Beyond India, Dr Thodivil detailed pathways such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for the US and the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)/UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) for the UK, explaining the eligibility criteria and exam structures.

No Fees

In the UAE, he highlighted the roles of various licensing authorities including the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

Dr Thodivil spotlighted the Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Exam (EMREE), which allows final-year medical students and recent graduates to pursue fully funded postgraduate training in the UAE.

“It’s free, and you even receive a stipend.”

Achieving 85 per cent or above in the exam qualifies candidates for interviews and matching with residency programmes.

“This is a good opportunity, but most students are unaware of it.”

Other options
Royal College fellowships such as MRCS, MRCP, and MRCOG were also recommended for those seeking specialisation and international mobility. Other options include the Australian Medical Council (AMC), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), and the Saudi Medical Licensure Examination (SMLE).