The High Colleges of Technology hosted the HCT Annual Forum 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai, featuring participation from HCT leadership, academic management, and faculty members. The Forum highlighted academic, administrative, and operational accomplishments, while also discussing plans and initiatives for the upcoming phase as the new academic year began.

In his opening address at the Forum, Dr. Faisal Alayyan, HCT President & CEO, affirmed that HCT is progressing towards "Emirati Excellence" by fostering academic success for students, improving graduates' employment prospects as top candidates in the labor market, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the progress in performance across the various campuses and the collaborative efforts of administrative and academic staff to achieve these goals.

Dr. Alayyan stressed that quality is the cornerstone of excellence and that HCT seeks to lead as an exemplary model of best practices in applied education at the regional level. He highlighted the goal of making HCT's educational experience a benchmark for others, producing practices that help build and develop human resources and prepare them to navigate the labor market and its challenges.

The Future of Human Capital

Mr. Mohamed Al Nuaimi, Vice President of Shared Services, presented a thorough vision for the future of human capital across the HCT system, highlighting operational achievements and initiatives designed to improve quality in the workplace and boost performance efficiency. This includes advancing digital services and implementing the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme to streamline administrative processes by eliminating redundant procedures and requirements. Additionally, the vision focuses on enhancing professional development programs and initiatives to promote employee welfare and happiness.

Al Nuaimi also discussed several initiatives related to future talent management, including those designed to enhance efficiency and quality. One such initiative is the “Outbound Industry Sabbatical” for faculty members, which saw 30 participants benefit over the summer. This program allowed them to spend around a month in various industry sectors, gaining exposure to the latest practices and technological applications relevant to their fields. This experience supports their professional growth and enriches their teaching methods.

He also highlighted the new International Industrial Conferences program, which aims to provide top-performing faculty members with the opportunity to attend and engage in major conferences, particularly those focusing on key topics such as AI, metaverse, cybersecurity, energy transition, and more.

Applied Leadership

Dr. Luc Verburgh, Chief Academic Officer, discussed the progress in applied education, focusing on the development and introduction of study programs aligned with labor market trends. He highlighted advancements in tracking students' academic development and implementing assessment mechanisms based on applied skills. Additionally, he emphasized efforts to attract global teaching talents with both educational and professional experience. He also noted the importance of strengthening ties with the labor and industry sectors through initiatives like the "HCT Apprenticeship" program, which offers vocational training opportunities across various institutions tailored to students' specializations. This program includes a 16-week training period for bachelor's students and three semesters of vocational training for diploma students, enhancing their awareness and readiness for employment.

Services in 2 Minutes

Mr. Ali Ahli, Director of Human Capital, outlined the department's efforts to improve service quality, highlighting their clear action plan for implementing the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. He noted that they have successfully transitioned five staff-related services, which previously took several days to complete, to a WhatsApp service that now processes requests in under two minutes, adhering to the highest security and safety standards. The goal is to convert 50% of staff services by the end of the year to this level of speed and efficiency. He also mentioned that their collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has significantly accelerated service delivery through continuous updates to employees' data, making their transactions easier and faster.

Empowering Youth for the Future

The forum's guest, Mr. Khalid Al Noaimi, Acting Director of the Federal Youth Foundation, emphasized the critical role of partnerships with educational institutions in preparing and empowering youth for the future, highlighting the importance of program quality and teaching staff competencies. He commended HCT's efforts to produce skilled graduates with practical experience that aligns with national directions. He also discussed the National Youth Agenda 2031, highlighting its key pillars: economic empowerment, scientific skill development, national identity, community contribution, and international representation. This agenda focuses on preparing youth to keep pace with technological advancements and acquire future-ready skills, emphasizing that empowering youth is a collective responsibility.