Higher Colleges of Technology

Higher Colleges of Technology

كليّات التقنيّة العليا
Type	Public
Established	1988
Chancellor	Mohammad Omran Al Shamsi
Vice-Chancellor	Dr. Abdullatif Mohammad Al Shamsi
Academic staff	982
Administrative staff	934
Students	22,000
Location	17 separate campuses[Notes 1] across the United Arab Emirates
Colours	White Red Green Black
Mascot	Falcon
Website	http://www.hct.ac.ae/

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT; Arabic: كليّات التقنيّة العليا‎) was established in 1988^[1] as one of the largest institutions of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the 2012–2013 academic year, there were 11,232 female and 6,855 male students enrolled at 17 campuses throughout the country.^[2] More than 55,000 UAE nationals are graduates of the institution.^[1]

The HCT provides post-secondary education in Business, Education, Engineering Technology, Computer & Information Science, Applied Communications and Health Sciences. English is used as the medium of instruction, with faculty recruited from around the world.

The HCT has formal alliances with a number of international tertiary education and training institutions, and corporate partnerships with local and multinational companies. Some programs have international accreditation: for example, the HCT's Bachelor of Education degree was developed with, and is certified by the University of Melbourne.^[3]

The CERT (Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training) is the commercial arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology, developing and providing education, training and applied technology for public and private sector clients.^[4] The Wharton Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship Research for the Middle East is based at CERT.^[5] The University of Waterloo, Canada, offers dual degrees in collaboration with HCT through CERT.^[6]

The Chancellor of the HCT is H.E. Mohammad Omran Al Shamsi. Dr Tayeb A. Kamali was appointed as the Vice Chancellor in June 2005. On March 17, 2015 Dr Abdullatif Mohammad Al Shamsi was appointed as HCT Vice Chancellor, by Federal Decree.

There are 17 campuses throughout the country, with separate colleges for male and female students. The central administration of the HCT is located in Abu Dhabi and includes the Vice Chancellor's Office, Academic Central Services, Institutional Planning and Development, Human Resource division, and Central Finance and IT services.

History

In 1985, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, made a commitment to establish a new system of post-secondary education for UAE Nationals that would stress the ideals of productivity, self-determination, and excellence.^[7]

In 1988, Federal Law No 2 established the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).^[8]

Campuses

Abu Dhabi Men's College

Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC) opened in 1988 and has modern computer laboratories and technical workshops, and classrooms equipped with learning technology. ADMC offers a range of work-relevant programs in Business, Communication Technology, Engineering Technology, Health Sciences and Computer & Information Science. The current director of the college is Sultan Karmostaji; he is also the director of Abu Dhabi Women's College and its branch campus in Khalifa City. Together, these three HCT campuses are known as the "Abu Dhabi Colleges."

ADMC is located adjacent to the HCT's Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT).

Abu Dhabi Women's College

Abu Dhabi Women's College (ADWC) opened in 1988. ADWC has 5 main teaching departments: Business, Applied Communication, Education, Health Sciences and Computer & Information Science. ADWC also seeks to meet the needs of women who were unable to enter college directly after high school by offering a Work Readiness Program that prepares them for careers in private, public or self-owned companies. The wider community is serviced by Continuing Education programs which are open to the entire Abu Dhabi community. The present director of the college is Sultan Karmostaji.

ADWC’s campus in Khalifa City, Khalifa City Women's College (KCWC), is a branch of ADWC, sharing staff, faculty, and a website. KCWC opened in September 2009. It offers educational opportunities to about 2,000 students. For the large number of Emirati families who live in the areas surrounding Abu Dhabi city, KCWC is the closest HCT campus.^[9]

Al Ain Men's College

Library at Al Ain Men's College

Al Ain Men's College (AAMC) opened in 1988 with 61 students and 19 staff.

The college operated from a temporary campus in the Al Ain suburb of Sarooj until 1996 when a purpose built facility was opened on the road to the suburb of Zakher, near Al Ain Zoo. Athletics and other recreational facilities were completed in 2001.

The college offers courses in Business, Engineering Technology and Computer & Information Science. In 2006 there were more than 700 students and 90 staff. The current director is Hamsa Saleh Al Ammari, who is also director of Al Ain Women's College.

AAMC recently announced the start of a new Executive MBA degree, the first for the city of Al Ain^[10]

Al Ain Women's College

Al Ain Women's College opened in 1988 and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati women in Al Ain. The current director is Mrs. Hamsa Saleh Al Ammari

Dubai Men's College

Campus of Dubai Men's College

Dubai Men's College (DMC) opened in 1989, the Higher Colleges' second year of operation. More than 3000 students have graduated from the college, and it currently enrolls approximately 2000 students and employs some 200 faculty and staff.

In 2004, a new campus was inaugurated at Dubai Academic City. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and a wide range of sports, educational, and recreational facilities. Its current director is Dr. Saoud Al Mulla.

DMC offers programs in Applied Communications, Engineering Technology, Business, Health Sciences, and Computer & Information Science. These programs include degree courses in Business Administration, Computer & Information Science, Engineering Management, Construction Engineering, and Communication Technology.

Dubai Women's College

Dubai Women's College (DWC) opened in 1989 and offers courses in Business, Computer & Information Science, Health Sciences, Applied Communications, Education and Engineering Technology. Enrolment at the DWC campus has increased from fewer than 200 to over 2,200 students in 2006. DWC relocated to a new campus in the Al Quasis area of Dubai in 1998. The current director is Dr. Saoud Mohamed Al Mulla

Fujairah Men's College

Fujairah Men's College (FJM) opened in 2003 and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati men in Fujairah. The current director is Dr. Obaid Al Muhairi.

Fujairah Women's College

Fujairah Women's College (FJW) opened in 1999 and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati women in Fujairah.The current director is Dr. Obaid Al Muhairi.

Ras Al Khaimah Men's College

Ras Al Khaimah Men's College (RKM) opened in 1993. The current director is Dr. Ali Hasan Ebrahim Ali Al Mansoori, who also leads Ras Al Khaimah Women's College (RKW).

Ras Al Khaimah Women's College

Ras Al Khaimah Women's College (RKWC) has over 1800 students^[11] and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati women in Ras Al Khaimah. The current director is Dr. Ali Al Mansoori.

The Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology

The Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology (SHCT) are two of the seventeen colleges that comprise the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Sharjah Women’s College was established in 1997^[12] and the Sharjah Men’s College in 1998.^[13]

Located in University City in Sharjah, with separate campuses for males and females, the SHCT serve the post-secondary educational needs of the three neighboring emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain. Current enrolment at the Women’s and Men’s Colleges is 2,188 and 763 respectively (Sept. 2012). The SHCT employ over 300 staff from more than 25 different countries, with the great majority coming from English-speaking world.

The SHCT offer diploma, higher diploma, and bachelors level programs in Applied Communications, Business, Education, Engineering Technology, Health Sciences and Computer & Information Science. The SHCT has facilities that include well-equipped computer and other dedicated laboratories, an auditorium, a planetarium, and Olympic-size sports facilities.

The current director of the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology is Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi.^[13]

Madinat Zayed & Ruwais Colleges

New campus were opened in 2007 for both men and women in the western area of Abu Dhabi Emirate at Madinat Zayed and Ruwais. The current acting director of the MZ and Ruwais Colleges is Nial Farrell.^[14]

Notes

References

External links

• Higher Colleges of Technology official website

Coordinates: 24°30′N 54°30′E / 24.5°N 54.5°E / 24.5; 54.5