The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) concluded the HCT Governance and Education Conference 2026, held at the HCT Dubai Academic City Campus.

Under the theme “Advancing Excellence in Higher Education Governance”, the conference convened a distinguished gathering of governance leaders, regulatory bodies, and international experts. Discussions focused on formulating modern frameworks that drive competitiveness and adapt to future shifts.

The conference discussed the need to transform institutional oversight concepts, moving from a focus on regulatory compliance to adopting a performance culture. This approach positions governance as an enabler of innovation and resilience, fostering decision-making rooted in credibility and transparency.

Opening the forum, His Excellency Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, stressed that the current phase demands a genuine transformation in approach, ensuring governance becomes a daily practice and an ingrained culture within the institutional ecosystem.

“Convening such a distinguished group of global experts at HCT underscores our unwavering commitment to institutional excellence,” H.E. Al Ayyan stated, “It ensures our governance frameworks are agile and robust enough to support the future economy by building educational institutions capable of making decisions with confidence, and empowering national talent with the skills and institutional readiness required by the changing economic landscape”.

Following the opening remarks, His Excellency Mahmoud Salem Alalawi, Director General of the Corporate Efficiency Sector at the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, delivered a keynote address highlighting the critical link between governance in education and public trust. “Strong governance is the foundation of institutional reputation,” H.E. Alalawi remarked. “Our discussions today highlighted that accountability and transparent oversight are not just tools for compliance, but strategic enablers. They allow institutions to operate with efficiency and agility, ensuring their ability to deliver sustainable, long-term value”.

The sessions continued to address practical applications of modern governance in today’s workplace. Dr. Rainer Lenz, Chief Internal Auditor at SAF-HOLLAND Group - Germany, and Hon. Prof. at the University of Pretoria – South Africa, discussed strategies to overcome Hypegiaphobia or “the fear of responsibility". He emphasized that "Effective governance is not based on excessive hard controls, but rather on clarity of roles, and cultivating governance, and willingness to take responsibility."

He described governance as an “integrated ecosystem” where internal auditors as The Gardner of Governance™ , a metaphor and concept for internal auditors he coined in 2021, play a pivotal role in enhancing accountability, supporting trust, nurturing organizational learning, and helping leaders to make informed decisions in changing work environments.

A central theme of the discussion was the move from rule-based systems to governance driven by human judgment.  Abdulqader Obaid Ali, Chairman of the Board of the UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA) and Global CEO of Manav Energy, emphasized: “We are witnessing a shift from governance based solely on rules to one built on trust. The discussions proved that ethical leadership and transparency are the true drivers. When you establish the right institutional culture, the quality of decision-making naturally improves”.

Broadening the scope to global best practices, Dr. Ashraf Gamal El-Din, CEO of Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance, outlined the fundamental pillars of corporate governance.  He also highlighted the importance of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards into institutional strategies.

Expanding on the human element, Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka from MAT ABACUS Business School – Uganda explored the critical interplay between culture and governance in modern work environment.

Final sessions focused on the intersection of technology and oversight. Mark Thomas, President of Escoute Consulting – USA, presented on "Governing Risk in the Age of AI, Automation, and Digital Trust", while Hala Bou Alwan, Founder and CEO of Hala Bou Alwan Legal, moderated a high-level panel on "Governance in Universities & Applied Colleges".

Reflecting on the conference outcomes, Karem Obeid, Director of Internal Audit at HCT, said: “Effective governance today is no longer about compliance alone. The conference reinforced that integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership must sit at the heart of decision-making, particularly as institutions navigate increasing complexity and digital transformation”.

The conference concluded with a series of recommendations calling for the transformation of governance from theoretical frameworks into practical measures that drive institutional excellence.

Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing dialogue and partnerships between organizations and regulatory bodies. By exchanging experiences and unifying standards, the sector can establish "Excellence in Governance" as a shared norm – a fundamental pillar for shaping the future and tackling the challenges of the digital age with competence.