The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) concluded its highly successful International Conference on Empowering Entrepreneurship & Employability on April 18, 2024. Over two days, the conference fostered a dynamic environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration, bringing together over 200 researchers, academics, and industry leaders from 42 universities across 19 countries.

Global Collaboration Ignites Innovation and Skills Development

The conference program featured thought-provoking keynote addresses, engaging panel discussions, and parallel sessions encompassing a wide range of critical topics in today's globalized economy. These included innovation and entrepreneurship, employability in the UAE, funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on fintech, and the impact of technology and digital transformation on current business practices. Discussions delved into areas like marketing and business analytics, sustainable development, and the role of government policies in economic growth.

Conference Highlights

• 215 Researchers, Global Impact: A rich exchange of ideas unfolded as 215 researchers presented their work across 30 sessions, offering diverse perspectives on entrepreneurship and employability.
• Empowering the Next Generation: Professor Laura Galloway, a renowned scholar from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, UK, delivered the opening keynote address, focusing on "Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders through Employability and Entrepreneurship."
• Building Successful Ecosystems: A captivating panel discussion titled "Building Successful Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: What Can Universities Do?" explored strategies for universities to bolster entrepreneurship.
• Showcasing Future Leaders: The Student Capstone Competition served as a platform for HCT Business students to showcase their innovative solutions and problem-solving skills, highlighting the conference's commitment to nurturing future business leaders.
• Recognizing Excellence: The prestigious Annual Business Research Award (ABRA) acknowledged outstanding contributions to business research by HCT faculty members.

Showcasing HCT's Commitment to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The conference served as a testament to the HCT Faculty of Business's exceptional efforts in delivering its successful Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. This program aligns perfectly with the national initiative to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation into the curricula of UAE higher education institutions. By fostering these crucial skillsets in students, HCT empowers the next generation of business leaders to drive positive change and contribute significantly to the UAE's economic growth.

Looking Forward: A Catalyst for Positive Change

Dr. Veselina Yankova, Conference Chair, emphasized the conference's success in fostering connections, collaboration, and innovation. "The insights and discussions generated here will have a lasting impact on the participating scholars and practitioners," she said. "We look forward to building upon this momentum to drive positive change for the UAE and the world."