Abu Dhabi: The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) hosted its Bi-Annual Forum on January 9, 2020, under the theme “Celebrating Success - Lead Change Agents”, celebrating the success of ten of its strategic achievements made over the past four years.

The forum marked the start of HCT’s spring 2019-2020 semester and was attended by 1,200 HCT faculty and staff.

The latest HCT achievement has been the launching of the pilot stage of HCT’s “Kawader” employment portal, with the aim of boosting graduates’ employability.

Other outstanding achievements, which were highlighted during the forum, included:

  • The incubation of 25 startups within the innovative economic zones under the HCT 4.0 pillar  “Graduate Companies”
  • The awarding of international professional certificates
  • The national accreditation of HCT programs by the CAA
  • The re-orientation of graduates for employment in the private sector and
  • Boosting Emiratization within HCT

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, HCT President and CEO, shed light on the ten key achievements made under the HCT 4.0 strategic plan, which is comprised of three pillars - “Technical Leaders”, Education for All – No Emirati Left Behind” and “Graduate Companies”.

Dr. Al Shamsi noted that the HCT 4.0 strategic plan is strongly aligned to the UAE’s national strategy of “Towards the Next 50”, which will guide HCT in its continuous endeavors to achieve further successes in line with the ambitions of the UAE leadership and the nation’s future vision. He expressed great pride in HCT receiving national accreditation from the CAA for all 71 applied academic programs, as well as partnering with 22 professional awarding bodies worldwide, resulting in 3,720 HCT students receiving international professional certificates through HCT’s Hybrid Education model. He added that the percentage of HCT graduates being reoriented to employment in the private sector has improved from 26% to 57%.

In other success stories, Dr. Al Shamsi highlighted HCT pioneering its SANAD and HADEF programs to boost Emiratization of graduates and faculty, resulting in 47 Emirati HADEF students successfully completing the program requirements and 132 graduates being recruited in HCT faculty positions. Furthermore, the HCT recruited 103 Emirati administrative staff, which improved the Emiratization rate among administrative staff to over 61%.

Dr. Al Shamsi spoke about the inauguration of innovative economic free zones in the HCT’s Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah campuses, which resulted in the incubation of 25 student startups and projects. The free zones also hosted training camps for student entrepreneurs, in order to ensure the development and funding of their projects and graduate companies.

With respect to the digital transformation of HCT campuses, Dr. Al Shamsi informed the audience that HCT won the Blackboard Catalyst Award for Leading Change, and introduced the first digital teacher certification in the region, to be awarded to HCT faculty.

Dr. Al Shamsi further praised the HCT for being the first higher education institution in the region to win the ROSPA golden award 2019, granted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in the UK for implementation of the best health and safety standards. He also highlighted the HCT success in establishing the Global Applied Education Network (GAEN), with nine international, applied higher education institutions.

Dr. Alex Zahavich, HCT Chief Academic Officer, spoke about success sustainability and continuity at HCT, emphasizing the importance of focusing on technological updates and continuous up-skilling, in addition to deepening the awareness of the HCT goals and outputs in students, staff, parents and strategic partners.

Dr. Zahavich added that communication must be expanded between students and faculty, particularly as HCT’s role extends beyond graduation and employability, to revolve around graduating companies and entrepreneurs, empowering graduates to create their own opportunities.

Another highlight of the forum was a panel discussion session on the future plans to capitalize on past successes and new achievements under the HCT 4.0 strategic plan, so as to fully support HCT’s strategic goals and pillars.

The forum was concluded with a Rewards and Incentives recognition ceremony for HCT employees, which included the categories of “Outstanding Employee”, “Exceptional Employee”, “Unknown Soldier”, Creative Employee”, and “Community Work”.

-Ends-

About the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)

Founded in 1988, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is the UAE’s largest applied higher educational institution, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative education practices and job-focused experiential learning. Approximately 23,000 students attend 16 modern, technology-oriented men's and women's campuses throughout the UAE. HCT offers over 70 academic programs in Applied Media, Business, Computer Information Science, Education, Engineering Technology & Science and Health Sciences.

These programs are all designed in consultation with business and industry leaders, and incorporate principles of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to ensure HCT students’ skills are up-to-date and to the highest standards. The HCT courses are a hybrid blend of innovative, technology-driven academic studies and work-relevant programs, ensuring that HCT graduates have the necessary 21st century skills to make positive and lasting contributions to society in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The HCT 4.0 strategic plan, which is strongly aligned to the goals of the National Employment Strategy 2031, was launched in March 2019 with the theme of Employability and Beyond, and consists of three pillars - “Technical Leaders”, “No Emirati Left Behind” and “Graduate Companies”. HCT 4.0 will equip UAE’s National workforce with future skills required in the labor market, so as to meet national goals. It will also empower graduates and employees to be familiar with technological updates and enhance their skills, so as to keep pace with accelerating job changes dictated by the 4th Industrial Revolution and the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence skills.

HCT is a vital contributor to the national agendas, including providing education opportunities to every male and female Emirati and also being announced as a free zone, under the UAE’s Fifty Year Charter”, which stipulates that UAE public and private universities will be announced as free zones that allow students to carry out business and creative activities. In addition, the HCT is prominent in its role as a federal institution by promoting applied research opportunities to faculty and students. The HCT has also embraced a global perspective on applied education by establishing the Global Applied Education Network (GAEN), which sees it partner with global educational institutions.

Media Contacts:

HCT – Paul Lancaster plancaster@hct.ac.ae  or +97156 5011167

HCT – Abrar Mikkawi amikkawi@hct.ac.ae  or +971565011147

 

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.