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Higher Colleges of Technology

Found in: Education in the United Arab Emirates Universities and colleges in the United Arab Emirates

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988, and is the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 16,500 students. During the 2005 - 2006 academic year there were 9897 female and 6641 male students enrolled at 14 campuses throughout the country. More than 19,000 UAE nationals are graduates of the institution.

The HCT provides post-secondary education in business, education, engineering technology, information technology, communications technology and health sciences.

The HCT places a strong emphasis on an innovative, project-driven and student-centred curriculum. 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. A few courses have international accreditation: for example, the HCT's Bachelor of Education degree was developed with, and is certified by the University of Melbourne.

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.

The Chancellor of the HCT is His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, also UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Vice Chancellor, appointed in June 2005, is Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali.

There are 18 campuses throughout the country, with separate colleges for male and female students. The central administration of the HCT is located in Abu Dhabi.

Campuses

Abu Dhabi Men's College

Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC) opened in 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 Information Technology. Since 2001 the college has hosted the international student conference "e-ducation Without Borders".

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, Communication Technology, Education, Health Sciences and Information Technology. 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 Director of the College is Dr. Bradley J. Cook.

Al Ain Men's College

Al Ain Men's College (AAM) 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 campus has attractive gardens and dramatic views of Jebel Hafeet.

The college offers courses in business, engineering and information technology. In 2006 there were more than 700 students and 90 staff. The current director is J. Brent Mills, who is also director of Al Ain Women's College.

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.

Dubai Men's College

Dubai Men's College (DMC) opened in 1989 and offers programs in Business, Information Technology, Communication Technology and Engineering and awards Diploma, Higher Diploma and Bachelors degrees. 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 established at Duabi Academic City and is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and a wide range of sports, educational and recreational facilities.

DMC offers programs Communication Technology, Engineering, Business and Information Technology including degree courses in Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering Management, Construction Engineering and Communication Technology.

Dubai Women's College

Dubai Women's College (DWC) opened in 1989 and offers courses in business, information technology, health science, communications technology and education and engineering DWC also hosts HCT's UNESCO Chair of Communication Technology and Journalism.

Enrolment at the DWC campus has increased from less than 200 to over 2,200 students in 2006. DWC relocated to a new, campus in the Al Quasis area of Dubai in 1998.

Dr Howard Reed has been Director of Dubai Women's College since 1992. In 2005, he was appointed to the Dubai Education Council, established by then Crown Prince, now Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to improve the school education sector in Dubai.

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.

Fujairah Women's College

Fujairah Women's College (FJW) in 1999and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati women in Fujairah.

Ras Al Khaimah Men's College

Ras Al Khaimah Men's College (RKM) opened in 1993. The college was originally located in Ras Al Khaimah city on the site presently occupied by George Mason University. In 2004 it moved to Digdaga, before moving back to the city to its current campus in 2006. The campus is located in an area of Ras Al Khaimah known as Bererat. It is situated roughly 5km from the city centre.

As a technical college, its courses focus on preparing its students for the workplace. It offers a Bachelor's Degree in e-Business Management, as well as Higher Diplomas and Diplomas in three subject areas: Mechatronics, Business and Information Technology.

The current director is Dr. Ian Hall who is also Director of Ras Al Kaimah Women's College. The Dean of the Men's College is Mr. Ray LaBonte.

Ras Al Khaimah Women's College

Ras Al Khaimah Women's College (RWC) has approximately 1200 students and offers a wide variety of business and technical courses for Emirati women in Ras Al Khaimah. The current director is Dr. Ian Hall who is also Director of Ras Al Kaimah Men's College.