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- Health Sciences Research and Education Conference (HREC) 2026: Advancing Nursing Excellence Through Research, Innovation & Education
Health Sciences Research and Education Conference (HREC) 2026: Advancing Nursing Excellence Through Research, Innovation & Education
The Health Sciences Research and Education Conference (HREC) 2026 brings together healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, and students to explore emerging trends, innovative practices, and evidence based approaches shaping the future of nursing and healthcare delivery.
Hosted by the Health Science Program at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), the conference provides a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and interdisciplinary dialogue aimed at strengthening healthcare practice and advancing nursing excellence.
Conference Details
Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026 | 8:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Mövenpick Media City | Sheikh Zayed Road, Opposite Innovation Hub | Dubai Media City
Audience: Healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, students, and industry partners
Registration Type
Attendees
To gain insights, attend workshops, and network.
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Poster Presentation
Who want to showcase a practice, strategy, or research.
All accepted abstracts will be presented as posters. Presenters are required to prepare a printed poster, and a poster stand will be provided during the event.
- Registration & Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 30 October 2026
- Notification of Abstract Acceptance: Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Poster Presentation Submission: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Why Attend HREC 2026?
HREC 2026 is designed to support the growth of healthcare professionals by offering:
- Expert-led keynote sessions on leadership, digital transformation, and innovation in healthcare
- Research presentations showcasing current studies, best practices, and emerging evidence
- Networking opportunities with healthcare leaders, educators, and industry partners
- A platform for students and professionals to present their work, gain feedback, and contribute to the advancement of healthcare knowledge
Whether you are a nurse, educator, researcher, or student, HREC 2026 offers valuable insights and opportunities to engage with the region’s healthcare community.
Conference Program at a Glance
| Time | Session | Title / Description |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM | Registration | Attendee Registration & Welcome On-site registration, badge collection, program distribution, and light refreshments |
| 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM | Opening Remarks | Opening Remarks Prof Feras Hamzah and Dr Khalil Yousef |
| 09:00 AM - 09:35 AM | Keynote 1 | Transforming Nursing Leadership in a Changing Healthcare Landscape Presenter: Sarah Ball, MSc RN CGNC CHSE FFNMRCSI |
| 09:35 AM - 10:00 AM | Keynote 2 | Digital Innovations in Healthcare Presenter: Dr Dina AlBestawy |
| 10:00 AM - 10:25 AM | Keynote 3 | Evidence-Based Practice: Bridging Education and Clinical Excellence Presenter: Dr Zahra Mohamad |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Morning Break | Morning Refreshments & Networking Coffee, tea, and light snacks. Opportunity to visit exhibitor tables and network with fellow attendees and faculty. |
| 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM | Presentations | Oral Presentations - 8 Sessions 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| 01:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Poster Session | Research Poster Presentations & Q&A Graduate students and faculty showcase original nursing research through interactive poster displays. |
| 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM | Lunch Break | Lunch Break 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM |
| 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM | Closing and Abstract Awards | Closing Remarks and Abstract Awards 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
Conference Themes
HREC 2026 focuses on two core themes:
- Digital Health, AI and innovation in Patient Care
- Clinical and Organizational Leadership in Healthcare
Keynote Speakers
Ms Sarah Ball
Deputy Group CNO – Group Director Nursing Education & Professional Practice
Dubai Health
Sarah Jane Ball is Deputy Group Chief Nursing Officer and Group Director of Nursing Education and Professional Practice at Dubai Health, where she holds strategic leadership and accountability for nursing education and professional practice across the multi-site network. A transformational nurse leader with 30 years of experience across the UK and UAE, she previously served as Group Associate Vice President, Nursing Transformation at NMC Healthcare. Her achievements include reversing enterprise nursing attrition rates, leading the nursing workforce to enterprise-wide JCI accreditation, and establishing the UAE's first accredited neonatal and pediatric intensive care specialty programs. On the global stage, Sarah is an ICN Certified Global Nurse Consultant, a 2026/2027 Scholar of the ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI), and a member of the ICN Nurse Practitioner Expert Advisory Group. She holds an MSc in Education for Healthcare Professionals from King's College London, is a Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and serves as Adjunct Faculty. Sarah is a passionate advocate for raising the voice of nursing and positioning nurses at the forefront of healthcare policy.
Dr Dina Albestawy
Senior Clinical Informatics Consultant
Emirates Health services EHS
Dr Dina El Bestawy is a healthcare and clinical informatics specialist with expertise in EHR optimization, AI enabled solutions, health information exchange systems, and digital transformation. She supports healthcare organizations by assessing existing systems, identifying improvement areas, and implementing technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and patient centered care. Her work includes integrating clinical AI tools, aligning them with workflows and governance standards, and training staff to ensure effective adoption. She also analyzes healthcare data to support evidence based decision making.
Dr El Bestawy is a certified general pediatric specialist (DOH Abu Dhabi, DHA, GMC UK), a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK), and an AHA certified PALS instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Alexandria University, Egypt.
Dr Zahra Mohamed
Associate Dean of Nursing Education Center
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)
Dr Zahra Mohamed is a senior nursing education and professional development leader in Abu Dhabi with extensive experience in clinical education, national and international accreditation, workforce development, and research. She is the recipient of an ENA award for excellence in nursing and midwifery education in 2025 and serves as Program Director for the first ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) in the UAE. She also leads the only ANCC Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Accredited Provider with Accreditation with Distinction in the UAE. Dr Mohamed holds a PhD in Education, MSN, and EMHCA, with professional certifications including NPD-BC and CPPS. Her work focuses on nursing workforce development, professional practice, nursing residency, well-being, retention, and clinical education.
Call for Abstracts
Healthcare professionals, educators, and students are invited to submit abstracts aligned with the conference themes.
Abstract Requirements:
- 300 – 400 words
- Clear description of the study, practice, or innovation
- Relevance to conference themes
Submission Deadline: Friday, 30 October 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Thursday, 5 November 2026
Networking Lounge
Connect with healthcare leaders, educators, and peers throughout the day.
Certificates & Feedback
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance after completing the conference feedback survey. Presenters will receive a Certificate of Appreciation for their contribution.
Contact Information
For inquiries, please contact: Ms Sarah Hatahet – Health Sciences Program Email: [email protected]
Join Us at HREC 2026
Be part of a transformative event that celebrates innovation, research, and excellence in healthcare. We look forward to welcoming you to UOWD for an inspiring and impactful conference.
Open Day
Attend our Open Day on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
Join our experts to learn more about our degrees and how you can enrol at UOWD in our
Winter intake which starts on 4 January 2027.