ABU DHABI, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010: The UAE's growing demand for industry-ready logistics experts is being addressed with the launch of a new German Graduate School of Logistics (GGSL) yesterday in Abu Dhabi.

The new school is a collaboration between the Higher Colleges of Technology, a consortium of German Universities of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau and will feature a joint UAE/German four-year Bachelor of Engineering in Logistics degree.

The school will provide internationally accredited high standard undergraduate and graduate education for industry leadership in the field of logistics, promoting innovation and fostering private sector growth.

The program, to be offered in 2011, will cover all aspects of road, rail, sea freight and aviation including port management, air traffic systems, global logistics and management. There will also be offered a streamlined, consecutive Masters program following the Bachelor degree.

HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali said the GGSL would help to develop the UAE's regional importance as a logistics hub.

"The UAE has long been seen as a very important transport and transit route for the region and the Middle East. It is therefore vital that the nation produce highly skilled and qualified people to operate in the growing field of logistics," Dr Kamali said.

"The HCT is pleased to be working closely with our German partners to produce the next generation of logistics experts, who will play an important role in maintaining the local economy across a number of related industries.

"This program will establish the credentials that are very much needed here with all the construction and systems works. Abu Dhabi is embarking on huge development that requires logistics institutions which will help put the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi on the fast track."

German Graduate School of Logistics spokesman Professor Laszlo Ungvari said the new program would see a strong mix of economics and business.

"This project requires us to keep our feet on the accelerator to speed up and the success will continue to keep going to the end," he said.

Speaking at the launch the German Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission in Abu Dhabi Frank Newmann said exciting new developments will spring from the collaboration.

"This program is the fulfillment of a promise to forge a comprehensive partnership between our two countries," Mr Newmann said.

"We will see an exchange of trade and goods, but also a knowledge transfer between countries and from one generation to the next."

Speaking on behalf of the German consortium Ingo-Eric Schmidt-Braul said the program will develop across all aspects of UAE life to where it will be a whole industry itself.

"This country has become a hub for other parts of the world in terms of trade, goods, tourism, shipping and public transport and eventually the services provided here will overtake the importance of natural resources," he said.

"This program will see industry and universities combine through ideas and create innovative synergies in the field of logistics and improve the logistical relationship between Germany and the UAE.

"We are delighted to be working with the HCT as they are mirroring what we are doing in Germany and the course will ultimately fulfill the UAE's logistics industries' demands."

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About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988 with four colleges, The Higher Colleges of Technology has grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning.

More than 18,000 students attend 17 modern men's and women's campuses in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western region of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais.

HCT offers more than 90 different, English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Health Sciences and Education.  These programs are offered at the Diploma, Advanced and Higher Diplomas, Bachelor and Master levels, which are, all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors.  All programs 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.

All students learn in a technologically sophisticated educational environment that encourages development of the independent and life-long learning skills necessary to success in a fast changing world. 

HCT graduates have developed a reputation throughout the UAE for their technical and communications skills and for their adaptability to actual workplace conditions. Because of this, HCT graduates are eagerly sought by organizations looking to build their workforce with young Emiratis who are capable of operating effectively in today's global business environment. The Higher Colleges of Technology have awarded over 48,000 academic credentials to its graduates. These graduates have gone into the UAE employment market, making a significant impact on sustainable economic and social development of the country.

Combined with the fundamental principle of educating the UAE's future leaders in business, technologies, industry and the community is a desire to make the region a nexus point for innovative and cutting edge ideas and in-practice applications. 

Since its inception, HCT has focused on meeting the needs of the local economy and community while at the same time meeting international benchmarks and accreditation standards.  In this process, HCT has established active and dynamic links, collaborations and relationships with all major companies and organizations in the UAE and with many world's leading universities and organizations, such as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Waterloo, Oxford, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, University College London, IBM, Boeing, Siemens, TERI, University of Melbourne and the Asia Pacific University-Japan. 

For more information contact:
Paul Lancaster,
HCT Corporate Communications Executive,
Office of the Vice Chancellor.
Phone: 02 404 8543.
Mobile: 050 616 0964
Email: paul.lancaster@hct.ac.ae

© Press Release 2010