Launch of the World’s First Specialized Faculty of Health Tourism for the 2026/2027 Academic Year
An International Academic Partnership to Prepare Future Leaders in Health Tourism
The launch of the Faculty of Health Tourism for the 2026/2027 academic year has been announced. The Faculty is the world’s first specialized academic institution dedicated to the integrated study of Health Tourism.
Accredited by the Barcelona University of Administrative Sciences, this initiative aims to establish a modern educational model integrating health sciences, tourism, management, hospitality, and natural resources of environmental tourism value, in accordance with international academic and professional standards.
Dr. Abdelaty Elmannaee, Founder of the Faculty of Health Tourism, stated that the establishment of the Faculty responds to the rapid global growth of the Health Tourism sector and the increasing need for specialized professionals equipped with the scientific knowledge and administrative and professional skills required to manage and develop this sector.
Dr. Elmannaee explained that the Faculty’s vision is based on integrating modern health sciences, tourism management, hospitality, and the safe and scientifically grounded use of natural resources of environmental tourism value. This approach aims to establish a specialized educational system that connects academic study with practical application and responds to the needs of local, regional, and international labour markets.
He noted that the Faculty will offer a diverse range of accredited academic and professional programs, including bachelor’s degrees, professional diplomas, and specialized training courses, with future plans to expand its postgraduate offerings to include master’s and doctoral degrees.
The academic plan also includes field training and the establishment of a specialized research system to support the development of safe and sustainable practices across the Health Tourism sector.
The Faculty’s academic plan covers several modern fields, including:
Health Tourism Management
Planning and Management of Health and Medical Tourism Destinations
Medical Tourism
Environmental Tourism
Accessible Health Tourism
Health Tourism Economics
Quality and Risk Management
Health Insurance
Marketing and Governance
Health and Tourism Policies
The scientific study and utilization of natural resources of environmental tourism value
The Faculty will deliver its programs through a distinguished group of international experts and academics specializing in health, tourism, management, hospitality, and Environmental Tourism. These experts, representing various countries, will provide students with diverse and valuable academic and professional expertise.
Dr. Elmannaee emphasized that the Faculty also seeks to establish a broad network of international academic and research partnerships with universities, educational institutions, research centres, and organizations operating in the fields of health, tourism, and Environmental Tourism.
These partnerships will facilitate the exchange of expertise, the development of academic programs and curricula, and the advancement of practical training and scientific research.
For her part, Dr. Iman Al-Bashir, President of Al-Nahda University in Sudan, affirmed that establishing the Faculty of Health Tourism in partnership with the Barcelona University of Administrative Sciences represents a strategic vision for international academic cooperation.
She explained that this partnership aims to develop the higher education system and introduce innovative academic disciplines that keep pace with global transformations while responding to labour-market requirements at the local, regional, and international levels.
Dr. Al-Bashir added that the Faculty’s curricula and academic programs have been designed to achieve an effective balance between scientific foundations and practical application. This will be accomplished by combining theoretical study, field training, and direct interaction with institutions and organizations operating within the Health Tourism sector, thereby preparing graduates to work efficiently and professionally in this rapidly growing field.
The official opening of admissions for the 2026/2027 academic year is expected to be announced in the coming days. The Faculty will also be formally inaugurated during a press conference at which its academic programs, admission requirements, study system, and registration procedures will be presented.
The launch of the Faculty of Health Tourism reflects a new academic direction toward establishing Health Tourism as an independent scientific and professional discipline. It also seeks to prepare a new generation of professionals capable of leading Health Tourism projects, managing destinations, and developing services.
This initiative will strengthen integration among the health, tourism, education, and scientific research sectors while creating new professional and investment opportunities at both regional and international levels.
