The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) will collaborate with the Exantium Management Consultancy, owner of the “01Gov” platform to explore cooperation efforts between the two institutions in areas related to innovation, digital content, professional training and events signed a collaboration agreement.

The agreement was signed by Professor Abdullatif AlShamsi, HCT President & CEO, and Dr. Saeed Aldhaheri, Co-Founder of the 01Gov Platform, in the presence of a number of officials from both parties.

Exantium is an interdisciplinary innovation laboratory for the public sector, specializing in digital transformation. It owns the “01Gov” platform - the first Arabic platform for government innovation – as well as “CoDesk” - the first Arabic platform form remote work and innovation.

The two parties have agreed to cooperate in a range of innovative projects including:

• Conducting Innovation Labs for HCT staff and students;
• Providing HCT staff and students with access to the 01GOV and CoDesk platforms;
• Developing and publishing digital content in innovation and public administration;
• Delivering joint training programs related to higher education, innovation and public administration;
• Conducting special conferences, workshops and webinars related to higher education, digital transformation and other areas

Professor Abdullatif AlShamsi, HCT President & CEO, stressed the importance of building partnerships to promote institution’s digital transformation across administrative and academic levels. He noted HCT has made remarkable progress since transforming its education delivery from on-campus learning to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, together with its adoption of a “Hybrid Education” model that combines on-campus and remote learning.

Prof. AlShamsi commented that 01GOV is an outstanding platform that works to enhance capacity-building, support digital transformation of institutions and enrich Arabic digital content in government innovation. He noted there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two parties, in light of HCT’s clear vision to build a high-tech future of education, optimizing its investments in educational technology and empowering youth with access to such technologies.

Prof. AlShamsi said that collaboration with Exantium will be facilitated by the investment of its expertise in innovation, virtual laboratories and digital content, which will support the HCT’s applied educational model. This will be complemented by HCT Startup Development Program, where the campuses incubate, develop and support students’ innovative ideas and projects enabling them to become startups.

In addition, the agreement will provide HCT students and staff with training opportunities in future skills and technologies, through the 01GOV platform that works on enriching and promoting a culture of innovation among individuals and institutions.

Dr. Saeed Aldhaheri, Co-Founder of 01Gov platform, expressed his pleasure at the collaboration agreement between HCT and Exantium Management Consultancy, saying it represents a model for cooperation between the academic and private sectors to promote innovation and digital transformation. He noted that the timing of the agreement reflects the seriousness of both institutions to contribute to designing the UAE’s next 50 years, as well as the future in a post-COVID-19 world.

Dr. Aldhaheri said the agreement would enable HCT to benefit from 01Gov platform solutions and services to promote innovation and digital transformation of the colleges and to enrich the learning process. He added that the solutions are diverse, including 01Gov Platform and CoDesk Platform, which specialize in virtual and hybrid innovation labs, as well as training programs and workshops. He noted that Exantium and 01Gove are eager to work closely with HCT to achieve increased success stories that affirm the UAE's leading global position.