Overview of the HCT

In 1985, HE 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.

His Excellency envisioned a system of the highest quality that would be used to educate Nationals for the professional and technical careers necessary in a rapidly developing society.

In fulfillment of that vision, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988 by Federal Law No 2 issued by the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace.

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is the UAE’s largest applied higher educational institution, and the nation’s first approved university economic free zone, empowering it to graduate companies in alignment with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership. HCT, located in the Emirate(s) of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, is officially Licensed from 10, February, 2021 to 05, January, 2026 by the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates to award degrees/qualifications in higher education. HCT was initially licensed by the UAE’s Ministry of Education on 1 May 2014.

Approximately 23,000 students attend 16 men’s and women’s campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra region, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Female students constitute 63% of the student body, which reflects the HCT’s key role in preparing Emirati females to contribute effectively to national development in the service of their country. Since 1991, the HCT has proudly awarded over 85,000 academic degrees to male and female graduates who have succeeded in applying the quality education gained during their study in HCT.

The sixteen HCT men’s and women’s campuses offer an impressive range of instructional programs in the fields of Applied Media, Business, Computer Information Science, Engineering Technology and Science, Education, General Studies, Health Sciences and Military and Security with all HCT programs being delivered in English, excepting courses in Arabic and Emirati Studies.

Graduates of the HCT make immediate contributions to government, business and industrial sectors, and develop into leaders in their fields. The HCT is dedicated to student- oriented learning, which places the responsibility for education upon the students themselves and promotes lifelong learning.