Higher Colleges of Technology honours winners of HCT Skills 2026
The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has announced the winners of the second edition of "HCT Skills 2026" during a ceremony held at HCT's Dubai Academic City campus. The competition witnessed the participation of more than 800 students, who completed tasks related to 39 applied and specialised skills across 7 academic fields.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, praised the students' performance and the competence demonstrated during the competition, affirming that the initiative highlighted the importance of investing in young Emirati talent and fostering an environment that supports them to develop their potential in preparation for the requirements of the future economy.
His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi said: “As labour markets evolve at unprecedented pace, higher education must anticipate the capabilities that will shape future industrial and economic growth. At the Higher Colleges of Technology, our applied education model integrates academic excellence with industry-relevant experience, aligning graduate capabilities with the UAE’s strategic priorities and the evolving needs of its economic sectors. In doing so, we empower our graduates to lead the change and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s continued development.”
Growth reflecting the competition's success and reach
The 2026 edition of the competition, held across HCT’s campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, drew applications from more than 800 students, an increase of 60% from the 500 students who took part in 2025. The number of skill categories also grew from 37 to 39. The increase in both participants and skill categories reflects the competition's expanding scope, offering a wider group of students the chance to compete in specialised categories that showcase their abilities and encourage them to strive for excellence.
His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, affirmed that the competition represents part of HCT's efforts to enrich the educational experience of students by giving them practical opportunities to assess their abilities and develop their skills. He pointed to the importance of leveraging competition results in the evaluation of learning outcomes, with the aim of continuing to develop academic programmes that strengthen their alignment with labour market needs.
His Excellency Alayyan said: “HCT Skills is an integral component of our applied education model, providing students with a structured journey from preparation and training to competition in authentic, workplace-oriented scenarios. It enables students to demonstrate their capabilities, identify opportunities for further development and strengthen the competencies required to succeed in an evolving professional environment. Equally, the competition provides HCT with valuable insights into student outcomes and the effectiveness of our educational approach in developing agile, confident and industry-ready graduates.”
He added: “We congratulate the winning students and commend all participants for the dedication, ambition and high standards they demonstrated throughout the competition. Building on the success of this second edition, we will continue to enhance its content, broaden participation and deepen collaboration with partners across key sectors, ensuring that students benefit from relevant professional expertise and industry perspectives. Our ambition is to establish HCT Skills as an enduring platform for applied excellence; one that advances the UAE’s talent-development priorities and empowers graduates to contribute meaningfully to the institutions, industries and communities they serve.”
Competitions covering seven academic fields aligning with international standards
Tasks in the second edition of the competition were set across a range of 7 academic fields from engineering technology and science, computer information science, business, health sciences, applied media, education, and general academic requirements, reflecting the diversity of academic programmes in the colleges, and their commitment to provide equal opportunities for students to highlight their skills in various sectors.
The competition covered a wide range of skills, including cybersecurity, application development, robotics, advanced manufacturing, aircraft and drone maintenance, as well as digital design and marketing, health sciences, communication, artificial intelligence, among others.
Assessment was based on WorldSkills Standards, the benchmarking system for technical and vocational education and training systems worldwide, to provide a professional framework for evaluating student performance according to requirements for accuracy, quality and competence in task execution.
130 winners across various competition categories
Participants were evaluated by a team of experts and judges from HCT and partner institutions, based on the evaluation criteria adopted in the Emirates Skills and WorldSkills competitions, considering the practical requirements of each skill.
The closing ceremony honoured 130 winning students across the different competition categories, with His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan handing over certificates of appreciation to the winners in the presence of HCT leadership, members of the academic and administrative bodies and representatives of partners and sponsors, as well as participating students.
Strategic partnerships strengthening the link between applied education and economic sectors
During the ceremony, HCT recognised seven partners and sponsors from the industrial, technological, and educational sectors for their support of the second edition of HCT Skills. These included the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement; EDGE Group; McGraw Hill Education; Grapheast Computers LLC; Tekvion Technology; Vertix Holding; and TecBrix.
His Excellency Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, said: “Building advanced sectors begins with developing the talent capable of shaping and leading them. The “HCT Skills Competition” is particularly significant as a platform that brings together young talent from diverse disciplines, providing students with an opportunity to compete, apply their knowledge and skills, and gain practical experience in an environment that encourages innovation and excellence.
Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement’s support for this initiative is part of its commitment to enabling national capabilities and supporting initiatives that help identify talent, develop practical skills, and enhance the readiness of UAE talent to contribute to advanced sectors and the future economy. The diversity of the competition’s skills areas reflects the broad range of capabilities required across modern economic, knowledge and industrial ecosystems.”
For her part, Sana AlDaoumi, Chief People and Organisation Effectiveness Officer, EDGE Group, said: "Investing in national talent is central to EDGE's mission and to the UAE's vision for a diversified, knowledge-based economy that emphasises innovation, technology, and education. Through our collaboration with HCT, we are empowering young Emiratis with the skills, opportunities, and industry exposure they need not only to thrive, but to shape and lead in an advanced technology-driven ecosystem."
Neil Harris, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, McGraw Hill said: “At McGraw Hill, we believe that education has the power to unlock potential and create opportunities. We are proud to have supported the HCT Skills 2026 competition, which celebrated students’ talent and creativity while giving them the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world challenges and build confidence in their abilities as they prepare for future careers. The competition reflects the UAE leadership’s vision of empowering a new generation of innovators and digital pioneers, and we are delighted to support that vision by helping young Emiratis develop the technical, entrepreneurial and human skills needed to shape future industries and sustainable economies.”
