Abu Dhabi July 1, 2015: The Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council (ADTC) has partnered with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi to launch the first phase of a new online manpower system which will assist Emirati graduates match their skill-sets to jobs in the Abu Dhabi labour market.

The new Mustaqbali ("My Future") interface is designed to provide HCT students with access to up-to-date information and data relating to in-demand professions and disciplines in the Abu Dhabi labour market.

As a result of using Mustaqbali, the students will gain valuable knowledge of the most prominent employers and requirements of the various disciplines in Abu Dhabi's workforce which match their skills and their specializations. This will ultimately enable new Emirati graduates to access job opportunities and boost the local economy.

Mr Abdulla Abdulaali Al Humaidan, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, and Dr Sultan Hussain Karmostaji, Director of the HCT-Abu Dhabi Colleges, attended the event, as well as key officials from each institution.

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said that the importance of the cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council and HCT lies in providing graduates that are matched with the local labour market.

"The Mustaqbali system reduces the gap between higher education outputs and the future needs of the labour market and higher education inputs. Students get the opportunity of knowing the required specializations in the coming years on which they can make informed choices," Dr Al Shamsi said.

He added that the HCT is the first higher education institution to launch the first phase of this new system, whose features allow HCT to provide graduates qualified for employment in required specializations, in order to contribute to the sustainable economic growth of the UAE.

Dr Al Shamsi further emphasized the importance of upgrading academic programmes in line with the needs of the labour market. He pointed out that HCT constantly raises its educational standards and ensures quality by embracing the Learning by Doing methodology.

Mr Abdulla Abdulaali Al Humaidan, ADTC Executive Director, said launching the Mustaqbali system for manpower development is in keeping with the electronic transformation of services in the Abu Dhabi Government.

"This system depends first and foremost on the extent of responsiveness of employers and higher education institutions to joining the system of manpower development. The data becomes more accurate through the cooperation of employers, whether government or semi-government or private, in stating their current and future needs and vacancies, which gives students a clear picture of the required specializations and gives decision makers a clear idea about the future Emirati workforce," Mr Humaidan said.

Dr Sultan Karmostaji said that 7,412 HCT students in Abu Dhabi will benefit from this programme in its first phase in the following specializations:

  • Business (813 males and 1,587 females)

  • Education (322 females)

  • Engineering Technology & Science (1,968 males and 621 females)

  • Health Sciences (33 males and 206 females

  • Computer Information Science (431 males and 1,103 females)

  • Applied Communications (116 males and 212 females)

The first phase of the Mustaqbali system will be linked to the Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and the Al Ain University for Sciences and Technology.

The ADTC is currently completing the second phase of this system which will provide work placement and internships opportunities to students while studying in college, thus equipping them with the necessary skills and preparing them for employment following graduation.

About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988 with four colleges, the Higher Colleges of Technology have grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning. Over 22,000 students attend 17 modern, technology-oriented men's and women's campuses throughout the UAE. HCT offers a wide range of English-taught programmes in the Faculties of Applied Communications, Business, Education & General Studies, Engineering Technology & Sciences, Foundations, Health Sciences, Arabic & Emirati Studies and Computer Information Sciences. These programmes are all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors and embody HCT's Learning by Doing philosophy.  All programmes and courses are designed in consultation with business and industry leaders to ensure that the skills students learn are job-relevant and to high standards. They are constantly monitored to ensure they are at the cutting edge of industry standards and technological change. Visit www.hct.ac.ae. Follow us on Facebook  hctuae and Twitter @hctuae

For more information or to arrange interviews contact:Paul Lancaster. HCT Communications Department. Email: plancaster@hct.ac.ae Mob: 050 61609

© Press Release 2015