A milestone generation: HCT celebrates record cohort of 6,700 graduates shaping the UAE’s future

The Higher Colleges of Technology marked its largest graduation in history, with more than 6,700 students completing their studies across the nation's applied education pathways, reflecting four decades of institutional commitment to developing Emirati talent.

Beneath the soaring expanse of Etihad Arena, a gathering of significance unfolded as the Higher Colleges of Technology honoured its most substantial graduating class. More than 6,700 students, the largest cohort in the institution’s nearly four decade history, received recognition for their achievements across applied bachelor’s degrees, vocational diplomas and specialised career accelerator programmes. The ceremony, held under the theme “Strong Roots, Lasting Impact,” drew together graduates from HCT campuses throughout the UAE, their families, faculty and institutional leaders united in celebration of an educational milestone.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and a founding figure in HCT’s creation, attended the ceremony alongside Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The occasion reflected not merely growth in numbers but a fundamental validation of the applied education model that has evolved alongside the UAE’s economic transformation.

This year’s graduating class represented a 43 percent increase compared to the previous academic year, with 1,640 students from Abu Dhabi, 1,145 from Sharjah, 930 from Al Ain, and graduates dispersed across the emirates. Among the cohort, more than 12 percent achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5, including 14 students who graduated with a perfect 4.0. These exceptional performers received vehicles sponsored by HCT’s industry partners, honouring their dedication and excellence.

Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and Chief Executive of HCT, emphasised that the graduation represented progress not only in scale but in the quality of educational programming and labour market alignment. The institution’s applied model combines classroom instruction with practical training, enabling students to participate in industry projects and specialised competitions whilst developing capabilities directly relevant to employment. This approach has yielded tangible outcomes: over the past five academic years, HCT achieved an average annual graduate employment rate of 88 percent, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses consistently exceeding 90 percent placement within three years from 2022 to 2025. More than 4,400 members of this graduating class entered the labour market within twelve months of completion.

Dr. Belhoul Al Falasi underscored HCT’s role within the UAE’s broader human capital strategy, describing the institution’s evolution as rooted in a national vision that places the individual at the centre of development. “Building a competitive and sustainable economy requires continuous investment in knowledge, skills and young talent,” he reflected, noting that as economic and technological transformation accelerates, the responsibility to prepare successive generations grows proportionately. HCT’s programmes now encompass technology, cybersecurity, engineering, energy, healthcare, finance and education across 54 specialisations, with current enrolment exceeding 25,000 students.

The institution has strengthened its connections with industry through partnerships spanning more than 3,500 organisations, 87 percent from the private sector. Over the past five academic years, these collaborations produced more than 19,000 apprenticeship opportunities, ensuring students gain practical experience before entering the workforce. Notably, 72 percent of HCT graduates employed between 2019 and 2025 secured positions within the private sector, contributing to economic diversification and sectoral growth.

Looking forward, HCT plans to open a new campus in Masfout during the 2026–2027 academic year, expanding access to applied education across the emirates. The institution also reported significant growth in newer programmes: vocational diploma enrolment rose from 379 students in 2022–2023 to 6,276 in 2025–2026, whilst the Mahara Career Accelerators programme grew from 396 to 1,689 participants over the same period. As we reported in Sheikh Nahyan’s championing of scholarship funds across the emirate’s educational institutions, the emphasis on accessible, quality education remains central to the nation’s development strategy.

Since its establishment in 1988, HCT has graduated more than 95,000 students who have contributed to vital sectors throughout the UAE. The ceremony acknowledged this institutional legacy whilst positioning the Class of 2026 as bearers of continued excellence and innovation within a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

Source: WAM