The collaboration will drive joint research, knowledge exchange and talent development in specialised healthcare across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider GCC

 

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | [04 November 2026] – Cambridge Health Group (“CHG”), an international specialist healthcare group providing post-acute care and a subsidiary of Amanat Holdings PJSC (“Amanat”), has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Heriot-Watt University (“Heriot-Watt”) to advance academic research in rehabilitation, long-term care and specialised care.

          

The agreement brings together CHG's clinical expertise in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation across its facilities with Heriot-Watt University's pioneering research in healthy ageing, rehabilitation robotics and assistive technologies. Through its Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies and the National Robotarium, Heriot-Watt combines expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence and behavioural science to address complex challenges in health and care. Heriot-Watt's global presence spans five campuses across Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, with plans to establish a further campus in Saudi Arabia.

 

In Saudi Arabia, CHG is considered one of the largest dedicated providers of post-acute care, including rehabilitation and long-term care, delivered across inpatient, outpatient and homecare settings. In 2026, the Group expanded its flagship hospital in Jeddah from 130 to 200 beds and launched homecare services, extending its rehabilitation and long-term care beyond the hospital and into patients’ homes. CHG works closely with the Saudi Ministry of Health and continues to grow in the Kingdom, with plans for further expansion in Jeddah and a new facility in Riyadh, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to expand specialised care capacity and private-sector participation in healthcare.

 

Together, the organisations will connect research with clinical practice, creating opportunities to develop and evaluate innovations that support rehabilitation, maximise independence and improve quality of life for people with complex, long-term care needs. The partners will also pursue national and international research grants, including collaboration with government and industry partners.

 

The partnership will also support the development of the region's specialist healthcare workforce through academic training, executive education and tailored development programmes. These will include postgraduate research supervision, internships, industry placements and mentoring, helping connect academic learning with practical experience and supporting the development of national healthcare talent in the Kingdom.

 

Professor Dame Heather McGregor, member of Heriot-Watt University’s Executive, said: “Universities have an important role in ensuring that research responds to the needs of society and that its benefits extend beyond academia. Our partnership with Cambridge Health Group brings our researchers closer to the questions and challenges shaping healthcare practice, creating opportunities to translate knowledge into meaningful improvements in care. Through education, professional development and practical experience, we look forward to supporting the skills and expertise the region will need as its healthcare sector continues to evolve. We look forward to doing meaningful work together.”

 

Wael K. Abdallah, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Health Group, said: “As healthcare systems across the region evolve, advancing specialised care will increasingly depend on our ability to connect research, clinical expertise and real-world healthcare needs. At Cambridge Health Group, we see research and innovation as important enablers of better care outcomes and the continued development of post-acute healthcare in Saudi Arabia and across the GCC. Our collaboration with Heriot-Watt creates opportunities to bring academic expertise closer to clinical practice, strengthen the capabilities of our workforce and contribute to the long-term advancement of the sector.”

 

The partnership represents a step towards translating research into practical advances in specialised care, with the potential to benefit patients, healthcare professionals and the wider sector.

 


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About Cambridge Health Group

Cambridge Health Group is an international specialist healthcare group providing post-acute care including rehabilitation, long-term care, and a broad range of specialised services, notably complex dementia and complex mental health care.

 

The Group delivers its services across inpatient, outpatient, homecare and in-school care, with operations spanning Jeddah, Dhahran and Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Hampshire, Surrey and Bristol in the United Kingdom. With more than 1,000 beds, the Group is targeting approximately 1,500 beds over the medium term.

 

The Group's facilities hold international and national accreditations from Joint Commission International (JCI), the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

 

Cambridge Health Group is wholly owned by Amanat Holdings PJSC, a healthcare and education investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM: AMANAT).

 

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt is a global university with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia. Renowned for its strength in business, engineering, technology and design, the University combines academic excellence with a strong focus on real-world impact. Through world-class research, innovation and collaboration with industry, government and communities, Heriot-Watt is helping to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society and the global economy. Its international footprint and connected global community provide students, staff and partners with unique opportunities to learn, work and collaborate across countries and cultures.