Abu Dhabi, UAE- His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) graduation ceremony celebrating the largest cohort in its history, comprising more than 6,700 graduates from the 2025–2026 academic year. Held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi under the theme “Strong Roots. Lasting Impact.” the ceremony brought together graduates from HCT campuses across the UAE.
The ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT; His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT; senior government and institutional leaders; representatives of partner organisations; faculty and administrative staff; alumni from previous classes; and families of the Class of 2026 graduates.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi congratulated Class of 2026 graduates and their families, noting that the graduation of this cohort represents a new achievement in HCT’s journey and reflects the importance the UAE places on investing in human capital and developing Emirati talent capable of contributing to its developmental and economic priorities. He expressed confidence that graduates will continue the path of preceding generations and play an active role in shaping the UAE’s future and advancing its prosperity.
His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi said: “HCT’s journey is rooted in a national vision that places the human being at the centre of development and believes that building a competitive and sustainable economy requires continuous investment in knowledge, skills and young talent. Over nearly four decades, HCT has evolved alongside the UAE, preparing generations of talent who have contributed to building vital sectors. Today, with accelerating economic and technological transformations, our responsibility grows to develop new generations capable of keeping pace with these changes and contributing to the UAE’s economic diversification, innovation and competitiveness targets, and to ensure the growth and expansion of future sectors.”
The landmark graduation ceremony featured a visual presentation tracing HCT’s journey since its founding in 1988 and its key milestones over nearly four decades, highlighting the role of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in establishing the Colleges and developing their educational model. The presentation also showed how the Colleges have developed and contributed to preparing generations of national talent to meet the needs of society and the economy. The programme also featured a second video highlighting HCT’s achievements through key figures and indicators, showcasing the growth in student enrolment, the expansion of academic programmes and specialisations, and the development of educational facilities and infrastructure, reflecting the Colleges’ continued progress over the years.
The ceremony then celebrated Class of 2026 graduates, announced by academic specialisation, as they stood to receive recognition and congratulations from families and attendees. The programme included the announcement of awards for distinguished students, a pledge of allegiance and recognition of top achievers on stage.
The 2025-2026 academic year class recorded 43% growth in graduate numbers compared to the previous year, reflecting the expanding base of Emirati talent HCT supplies to the labour market across a broad range of applied and professional specialisations.
Graduates came from HCT’s campuses across the UAE: 1,640 from Abu Dhabi, 1,145 from Sharjah, 930 from Al Ain, 896 from Dubai, 887 from Ras Al Khaimah, 729 from Fujairah, 179 from Al Dhafra and 360 from Khalifa bin Zayed Air College and Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College, demonstrating HCT’s national reach and its role in supplying vital sectors with talent across all regions. This reach is set to expand with the opening of HCT’s new Masfout campus in the Central Region during the 2026-2027 academic year, widening access to applied education for more students in the region.
The increase in graduate numbers was accompanied by strong academic results, with over 12% of 2025-2026 graduates achieving CGPAs of 3.5 or higher, while 14 graduates completed their studies with perfect 4.0 CGPAs. The graduate rolls included 804 graduates recognised in distinction and honour categories.
His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan stressed that celebrating the HCT’s largest graduating cohort is a defining milestone in its journey; not only due to the 43% growth in graduate numbers compared to the previous year, but also because of the progress it reflects in programme and pathway development and improvements in academic and professional outcomes.
His Excellency Dr. Alayyan said: “We take pride in graduating this exceptional cohort of Emirati students and in the achievements they have accomplished during their studies, which reflect the knowledge, skills and experience they have gained through an educational experience we have continuously developed to meet their aspirations and labour market needs. Our applied education model offers flexible and diverse academic and professional pathways, combining study with practical training, enabling students to participate in projects, activities and specialist competitions to develop their capabilities and expand their options for continuing their studies or beginning their careers.”
His Excellency Dr. Alayyan added: “I thank the teams across all HCT campuses and the academic, teaching and administrative faculty for their efforts in developing our educational model and supporting students through to graduation. I also thank our partners across all sectors who contributed to connecting education with work environments through providing practical training opportunities. I congratulate the families of graduates whose support was essential to their success. We are committed to building on these achievements to advance our programmes and strengthen our outcomes in ways that respond to student aspirations and align with the economic sector needs of the UAE.”
A number of leading figures who attended the graduation ceremony praised the achievements of the Class of 2026 and HCT’s efforts in producing generations of graduates qualified to excel and succeed in the labour market. They stressed the importance of applied education in preparing young people and equipping them with the skills and experience that economic and community sectors need, and in strengthening their contribution to the country’s development journey.
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani, Special Advisor to His Highness the Ruler of Fujairah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fujairah Charity Association, investing in the education and empowerment of young people is a cornerstone of the UAE’s development. His Excellency Al Raqbani said: “The UAE’s enduring commitment to equipping its young people with education and skills, through leading national institutions such as the Higher Colleges of Technology, reflects a firm belief that young people are the nation’s greatest asset and the foundation of its future.”
H.E. Al Raqbani added. “Today, we proudly celebrate a new generation of Emirati graduates. We are confident they will put the knowledge and skills they have gained to work, realising their ambitions while making a meaningful contribution to their nation and their communities. We congratulate the graduates and their families on this achievement and wish them every success in the next chapter of their lives.”
Her Excellency Hala Youssef Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “Today we celebrate a new generation of graduates who have the knowledge, skills and ambition to help shape the future of the nation. This occasion is especially meaningful because it reflects the diversity of talent and specialisations HCT embraces. Career opportunities are no longer limited to traditional paths but extend to creativity, design, technology and the cultural industries. We look forward to seeing these graduates use their abilities and ideas to develop initiatives and projects that add value to society and the economy.”
The Class of 2026 includes distinguished graduates who combined academic achievement with practical accomplishments, investing their years of study in developing their abilities and gaining diverse experience in innovation, training and specialist competitions. Their success stories reflect the opportunities their educational journey offered to discover their potential and achieve their ambitions, preparing them for the next stage of their academic and professional lives.
Asma Abdulhameed Al Beshr, pharmacy technician diploma graduate from Abu Dhabi campus and 4.0 CGPA holder, said: “Studying at HCT gave me the opportunity to build an academic path that matches my ambitions. The support of faculty and the student life team helped me excel academically, while my participation in activities, volunteering and debates gave me greater confidence in my abilities and communication skills. Practical training enabled me to apply what I had learned and get a job immediately after graduation, before I returned to the Colleges to continue my studies in the actuarial science bachelor’s programme. This journey taught me that changing direction can be the start of bigger opportunities and ambitions.”
Salem Obaid Al Zaabi, bachelor’s graduate in mechatronics engineering technology from Ras Al Khaimah campus and 4.0 CGPA holder, said: “HCT enabled me to move from learning engineering concepts in theory to building and testing systems in practice. One of my most significant experiences during my studies was leading a project team to develop an autonomous unmanned aircraft, where I took part in assembling the aircraft, programming its systems, addressing technical challenges and carrying out successful flight tests. Practical training in a maritime and marine facilities environment, and my participation in an international training programme in Canada, showed me how to apply what I had learned within real engineering operations. I am grateful for all the support the teaching staff at the Colleges provided, which enabled me to achieve academic excellence and prepare for workplace life at the same time.”
Haamed Marwan Al Ajmani, bachelor’s graduate in computer information science specialising in security and forensics from Dubai campus and 4.0 CGPA holder, said: “The greatest challenge during my studies was balancing the demands of study with work, volunteering and national service while maintaining a consistent level of academic excellence. This experience taught me discipline, time management and the ability to catch up and keep moving forward. HCT also gave me the opportunity to apply my cybersecurity knowledge in a practical environment. I placed second in a competition in Qatar and took part in Japan’s Sakura science programme. These two experiences allowed me to test my abilities outside the classroom, handle technical challenges in competitive and international settings and identify the fields in which I want to specialise further.”
Dr. Ahmed Hussain Al Zarooni, father of graduate Noura Ahmed Hussain Al Zarooni, said: “Noura has made us proud and brought great happiness to our hearts with this achievement, of which we are all proud as a family. Noura put in tremendous effort throughout her years of study and her perseverance and commitment to excellence led to her achieving a perfect cumulative GPA. What makes me even happier is that her ambition did not stop at academic success. It extended to taking part in many competitions and activities, where she was always among the top performers, including winning first place in the ‘HCT Skills’ competition. I thank the Colleges’ teams, its professors and everyone who supported and encouraged her, and I pray that God blesses her success and helps her achieve even more in her future life.”
Ahmed Mohsen Al Shadadi, father of graduate Abdulla Al Shadadi, said: “No joy compares to a father’s joy when he sees the fruit of years of his son’s hard work come to life before his eyes. We followed Abdulla’s journey at the Higher Colleges of Technology and witnessed his determination to achieve his dream. Today I see him reaping the rewards of his resolve and commitment and getting ready to begin a new stage in his life. I thank the Colleges for its role in preparing him for the future, and I pray that God grants him success in his next steps, and that I see him at the highest levels, benefiting his country and achieving everything to which he aspires.”
The ceremony honoured 18 distinguished graduates, including 14 with a perfect cumulative GPA of 4.0, three with a cumulative GPA of 3.99 and one graduate from the people of determination with a cumulative GPA of 3.58. Each received a car in recognition of their academic excellence, with the awards made possible by graduation partners. AW Rostamani Group, the ceremony’s principal partner, provided five of the cars. The remaining awards were presented by strategic partners Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Transport, excellence partners Lockton and Arabian Company and the wider group of Colleges’ partners from across economic sectors.
Nasser Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Business Development at AW Rostamani Group, congratulated HCT’s Class of 2026 and their families, highlighting the Group’s long-standing strategic partnership with HCT as a model of how education and the private sector can work together to develop national talent and open pathways to successful careers. Al Ahmed said: “We are proud to be part of this ceremony celebrating the achievements of a new generation of Emirati talent. Recognising excellence and encouraging ambition is part of our responsibility to young people, and our partnership with HCT puts that commitment into practice. Over the years, it has grown to include training, professional development and direct support for graduates as they enter the workforce. We look forward to building on this collaboration to create more opportunities for national talent and develop qualified professionals who are capable of meeting the evolving needs of the UAE’s business sectors.”
HCT employment data reflects the practical impact of its educational model with average annual employment rates reaching 88% over the past five academic years, with individual years ranging from 84% to 93%, and 2024-2025 graduate employment at 86%. Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses maintained employment rates above 90% in each of the three academic years from 2022-2023 to 2024-2025, with Dubai ranging from 91% to 98% and Abu Dhabi from 92% to 95% over this period.
For the Class of 2026, more than 4,400 graduates entered the labour market within less than 12 months of graduation. Data also shows 72% of HCT graduates who entered the labour market between 2019 and 2025 obtained positions in the private sector, reflecting the growing presence of HCT outcomes in diverse business environments across the UAE and their capacity to compete and contribute across economic sectors.
These results are supported by a broad partnership ecosystem connecting HCT with government entities and economic institutions. Over the past five academic years, this ecosystem has extended to more than 3,500 organisations that contributed to student training and graduate employment, with 87% from the private sector. These partnerships provided more than 19,000 apprenticeship opportunities for students, enabling them to apply their knowledge and gain practical experience in real work environments.
Dr. Tahani Al Qadiri, Associate Vice President of Burjeel Training Academy at Burjeel Holdings, congratulated HCT’s Class of 2026 and their families, emphasising that investment in Emirati talent is the foundation of a sustainable, future-ready healthcare system. Dr. Al Qadiri, said: “Our partnership with HCT shows what is possible when academic learning and real-world practice work as one, and we are proud to be part of it. The future of healthcare will be shaped by Emirati professionals who combine knowledge with digital fluency, innovation and leadership. Through our training and professional development programmes, we are committed to empowering national talent and opening meaningful career pathways. Together, we are strengthening the readiness of the healthcare sector and advancing the UAE’s long-term ambitions.”
The Class of 2026’s graduation continues the journey of HCT, founded in 1988, which has graduated over 95,000 graduates whose contributions span government and private sectors across technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, engineering, industry, energy, healthcare, finance, education, creative industries and other vital sectors.
Throughout this journey, HCT has continuously developed its programmes and pathways to meet national economic needs and diverse career opportunities. Today, over 25,000 students study at HCT across 54 specialisations.
HCT students follow three main educational pathways with approximately 69% pursuing applied bachelor’s programmes, 24% pursuing vocational diploma programmes and 7% pursuing the ‘Mahara’ Career Accelerators pathway. Between 2023 and 2026, more than 19,000 students enrolled in applied bachelor’s programmes, over 9,700 in vocational diploma programmes and around 2,600 in ‘Mahara’. This diversity allows students to choose the pathway that best suits their abilities and ambitions, combining specialist knowledge with practical application to prepare them for success in work environments.
Vocational diploma pathways and the ‘Mahara’ Career Accelerators programme hold growing importance within this model, offering applied educational opportunities linked to the real needs of economic sectors. They equip students with the qualifications and skills to start their careers easily upon graduation, or to continue their academic studies in applied bachelor’s programmes.
Data reflects HCT’s expansion in applied and vocational pathways. Vocational diploma student numbers rose from 379 in 2022-2023 to 6,276 in 2025-2026, an increase of more than 16-fold over four academic years, with total vocational diploma graduates since the Colleges’ founding exceeding 43,000. ‘Mahara’ programme enrolment increased more than fourfold within a single academic year, from 396 in 2024-2025 to 1,689 in 2025-2026.
SOURCE: MEDIA RELEASE / SUPPLIED CONTENT WITH IMAGES
