Abu Dhabi, February 22, 2011:  Day three of the International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2011) was the venue for showcasing more successful partnerships - this one in the field of education.

Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), announced today the launch of a Systems Engineering specialization in its Masters of Engineering Program, a core module of which will be delivered by the prestigious American teaching institution, Johns Hopkins University.

Systems Engineering is generally an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering projects should be designed and managed over the life cycle of particular projects. It can involve work in areas such as logistics, the coordination of different teams, and automatic control of machinery in large, complex projects.

Today's announcement was witnessed by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology.

The involvement of Johns Hopkins University came through the assistance and work of one of the world's largest defence contractors Raytheon, which has a significant presence in the UAE and MENA regions. Raytheon negotiated for Johns Hopkins, its academic partner in engineering education and staff development, to work with HCT in its own Masters of Engineering Program.

Dr Tayeb Kamali said it was an auspicious day for the Higher Colleges of Technology to announce the collaboration with an international partner of Johns Hopkins University's stature.

"The Higher Colleges' mandate is to provide students with the highest quality education and training in highly advanced and sophisticated technologies and learning systems, which we are able to do because of such partnerships as this one with the world renowned Johns Hopkins University in America," Dr Kamali said.

"The module to be delivered by Johns Hopkins will assist us in educating the UAE's future leaders in business, technologies and industry, using innovative and in-demand applications. With this partnership in place the Masters of Engineering will appeal to more students and graduates who are keen to further their skills and knowledge in the areas of sciences, engineering and technologies.

"We thank everyone at Raytheon for its great work in connecting Johns Hopkins with us and we look forward to delivering with them a vital and sought-after Masters of Engineering program."

Kevin Massengill, Raytheon Vice President of Middle East and North Africa said: "Raytheon is deeply committed to math and science education around the world and here in the UAE. We are proud to play a part

In helping to establish this new engineering masters degree at the Higher Colleges of Technology."

Dr Nicholas P. Jones, Dean of the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering said the School was very pleased to announce the agreement with the Higher Colleges of Technology.

"This agreement will see academic and research collaboration between the two institutions encouraged and facilitated," Dr. Jones said.

"The first collaborative activity to come from this agreement will take place shortly with the launch of the graduate course "Foundations in Systems Engineering". This course will be a partnership in which Engineering for Professionals, a program of the Whiting School of Engineering, provides curriculum and an instructor and the Higher Colleges provides a co-instructor for its first course in its new graduate engineering program.

"Johns Hopkins and the Higher Colleges of Technology wish to thank Raytheon Co for calling attention to this collaboration. Raytheon strongly supports providing the highest quality educational opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region and itself participates in a program with Johns Hopkins University for the customized delivery of courses leading to the Master of Science in Systems Engineering to Raytheon employees across the United States.

"Johns Hopkins is pleased to be a part of this new international collaboration with the Higher Colleges of Technology, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial collaboration in the years ahead."

-Ends-

About Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988, The Higher Colleges of Technology is the largest and most progressive of the higher educational institutions in the UAE.  Since the establishment of its four founding colleges in 1988, the HCT has gained a well-respected reputation for innovative learning in the UAE. Over 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 is a leader in professional and applied education and training.  HCT staff, at the forefront of their subject areas, work closely with students to deliver innovative curriculum in technologically advanced facilities. 

HCT offers more than 90 different, English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Health Sciences and Education.  These programs are on offer in a range of Master's, Bachelor degrees, Higher Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Diploma levels, all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors.

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. Visit www.hct.ac.ae

For more information contact:

Paul Lancaster
HCT Corporate Communications, Office of the Vice Chancellor
Tel: +971 (0) 2 404 8543
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 616 0964
Email: paul.lancaster@hct.ac.ae

© Press Release 2011