HCT launches new 5-year plan for Emirati workforce growth

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) unveiled its bold vision to transform the UAE’s applied education landscape, with a dedicated focus on providing job market-ready, post-secondary education opportunities, during a press conference at the HCT Dubai Men’s campus.

The innovative 2023-2028 strategic vision, aligned to the UAE’s National Future Foresight, will see the nation’s largest applied Higher Education Institution equip students with future-ready skills and capabilities, through the implementation of dual pillars of  Inclusivity and employment, while directly meeting job market needs.

This new direction beckons an exciting pathway for UAE National work development opportunities, integrating hands-on experiential learning, on-the-job apprenticeships and academic qualifications and is at the core of HCT’s mandate of graduating exceptional professionals who adeptly meet the demands of the industrial sector and business enterprises.

Dr. Faisal Alayyan, HCT President & CEO, said: “The introduction of HCT’s new educational direction marks a remarkable leap forward in charting a transformative journey for Emirati students, empowering them with the essential skills and knowledge to flourish in the dynamic landscape of work and innovation. With this visionary approach, we are not only shaping a brighter future but also nurturing our students to become catalysts of growth and trailblazers of profound change within the nation and beyond.”

The ‘Shaping the Future’ strategic vision outlines HCT’s comprehensive roadmap, centred around an applied education model that harmonises with the UAE leadership’s vision of nurturing Emirati human capital around four main model pillars — Inclusiveness, Sustainability, Employment and Integration. With a resolute focus on equipping students with exceptional skills and adaptability, the strategy endeavours to fortify the UAE’s competitive edge and foster a sustainable economy by empowering individuals to thrive amidst rapid changes and transformation.

HCT unveiled its dynamic work-study model, forged from partnerships between academia and industry, ensuring HCT graduates possess in-demand, industry-relevant skills.  Accordingly, the institution is committed to enhancing the quality of educational services, aligning them with international performance and evaluation standards. Ultimately, the aim is to cultivate exceptional national human capital, armed with the qualitative skills and capabilities demanded by future job opportunities and vital sectors of the UAE’s key industries.

NEW EDUCATIONAL PATHS:  The HCT strategic vision will feature a paramount focus on “applied learning” to elevate educational goals and vocational training programmes. It will spearhead the introduction of innovative programmes that seamlessly align with the dynamic demands of the job market while upholding international standards for applied education. The commencement of this innovative approach is scheduled for the academic year 2023/2024, reflecting HCT’s unwavering commitment to shaping the future of education and empowering students with invaluable skills for success.

Under the new model, HCT will open new student registrations in the 2023-2024 academic year for five core programmes – Health Sciences, Business, Engineering & Science Technology, Computer Information Sciences, and Education. Additionally, HCT will offer applicants educational opportunities tailored to their unique abilities and interests, through the implementation of three distinct learning paths, each with its own admission criteria, corresponding to different student levels. This will enable and empower all High School leavers, of whatever scholastic level, to seek enrolment in the HCT.

Hind Al Mualla, HCT Vice President of Employability & Knowledge Economy, said: “We are thrilled to announce the official inauguration of our strategic vision, marked by a series of collaborative partnerships with our esteemed strategic partners. Through these collaboration agreements with 11 governmental and private entities across various sectors, including healthcare, education, energy, services, retail, security, and financial services, we are embarking on an exciting journey of mutual growth and innovation. Together, we will create a vibrant ecosystem where academia and industry converge, cultivating the next generation of leaders and contributing to the growth and development of our society.”