Approximately 25,500 students, both male and female, across HCT's 16 campuses throughout the UAE, commenced their studies at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. Of the total, 5,882 new students were admitted into the Applied Bachelor's (3512 students) and vocational diploma programs (2370 students); part of HCT's novel educational framework, launched this year.

This model has paved the way for a diverse range of educational choices, tailored to students' preferences and abilities, and is aligned with HCT's commitment to strengthen its role as an applied education leader, through collaborations with the business and industry sectors.

Additionally, in the current year, HCT has attracted around 110 new hires to its administrative and teaching staff, thereby meeting its institutional needs arising from the rollout of its new educational model and the introduction of novel academic programs and disciplines.

The commencement of HCT's new academic year also marked the celebratory inauguration of its new Campus of Tomorrow for HCT-Abu Dhabi students in Baniyas. The new Baniyas campus is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art facility, capable of accommodating approximately 10,000 male and female students.

Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, HCT President & CEO, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the students, as well as the administrative and teaching teams, on the start of the new academic year. He took the opportunity to inspect the start of classes at the new Baniyas campus, casting a keen eye on students’ attendances and interactions in their classes.

He expressed a deep gratitude for the unwavering support of the UAE's wise leadership toward HCT, which has bolstered both its educational journey and its endeavors in nurturing national talents, in alignment with future ambitions.

“We initiated the implementation of the new educational model with the aim of achieving a significant advancement in applied education, with a focus on inclusivity and integration,” Dr. Al Ayyan said.

Dr. Al Ayyan said the new Baniyas campus, equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure and technologies including specialized classrooms and laboratories, embodies HCT’s transformative and visionary educational philosophy.

The new campus encompasses separate buildings for male and female students, alongside HCT Headquarters and Central Services. Spanning an 220,000 square meters, it can accommodate up to 10,000 students and adheres to contemporary benchmarks in design and sustainability, offering students an enriching educational experience.

Dr. Al Ayyan said the 2023-2024 academic year marks the implementation of the HCT’s new educational model, aimed at attaining significant advancements in applied education. The new model includes a core principle of inclusivity, aimed at offering a variety of educational paths tailored to students’ diverse abilities and interests. The new model integrates professional diplomas, mirroring the requirements of employers seeking adept, specialized employees, individuals, who are pivotal as skilled professionals and technicians.

Dr. Al Ayyan underscored HCT's commitment to nurturing the workforce, in alignment with the UAE's economic agenda. He said skills competence and job readiness are foundational pillars, driving the institution's aim to graduate students who are ready for work, not merely get a job. That is, he said, every graduate possesses the potential for productivity and creativity, building upon their comprehensive knowledge and specialized vocational preparation aligned to job market requirements.

Dr. Al Ayyan added this approach is evident in HCT’s strategy embracing strong connections and strategic partnerships with professional institutions, evidenced by the signing of 12 agreements designed to yield over 4,000 employment opportunities and an additional 4,000 training prospects for students within the next five years.

Dr. Al Ayyan highlighted that HCT’s educational approach is currently guided by "professional apprenticeships”, which creates vital links between academic learning, hands-on experience, and associations with employers. These links ensure students' preparedness for their future careers, while employers are actively providing 2 to 4-month training sessions for HCT students during their studies. These substantially enhance their practical training and on-the-job knowledge.

Dr. Al Ayyan noted these concerted initiatives have culminated in a significant increase in Emiratisation rates, particularly within the private sector, while they empower students to accept opportunities in the job market.