As part of its ongoing commitment to expanding its international network of strategic partners, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) recently welcomed a high-level delegation from South Korea’s Gangwon State and Yonsei University at Al Nahda Campus in Dubai. The visit focused on a two-way exchange of expertise designed to benefit both the UAE’s applied higher education sector and South Korea’s medical technology industry.

The visit served as a platform for exploring strategic opportunities in joint Research and Development (R&D), human resource exchange, and the benchmarking of innovative startup ecosystems within the medical device sector.

The delegation was led by Mr. Kim KwangLae, Vice Governor of Gangwon State, along with representatives from the Wonju Medical Industry Institute of Technology,  and Yonsei University. They were welcomed by Dr. Yahya Al Ansaari, Executive Director of HCT - Dubai Campuses, accompanied by members of the administrative and academic staff.

The visit also served to align HCT’s "Applied Excellence" model with South Korea’s leading medical technology expertise. The discussions focused on expanding HCT’s international reach to create a sustainable framework for joint R&D, and technology commercialization. By benchmarking innovative startup ecosystems, HCT continues to ensure its students have access to the most advanced industrial training environments globally.

During a tour of the campus’s Applied Research Labs, both parties explored how HCT’s hands-on training environment can serve as a testing ground for joint R&D projects. The discussions moved beyond simple observation, focusing on active collaboration and the joint development of medical device technologies that will serve the healthcare goals of both nations.

By positioning HCT and the Gangwon delegation as equal contributors to a global innovation ecosystem, this visit reinforces HCT’s commitment to international partnerships that deliver tangible, mutual value for students, faculty, and industry partners alike.