Higher Colleges of Technology has graduated more than 6,700 students from its 2025-2026 academic cohort, marking a 43 percent increase compared to the previous year. The graduation ceremony took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with more than 12,000 attendees.
The event occurred in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. UAE Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi also attended alongside government officials and faculty members.
Expansion at Higher Colleges of Technology
Graduates represented three academic pathways across nationwide campuses: applied bachelor’s degrees, vocational diplomas, and Mahara Career Accelerators. Among the graduating class, 804 students earned distinction and honour standing, while 14 achieved a cumulative GPA of 4.0.
Enrolment in the vocational diploma track increased from 379 students in the 2022-2023 academic year to 6,276 in 2025-2026. Furthermore, enrolment in the Mahara Career Accelerators pathway quadrupled within a single year to reach 1,689 participants seeking targeted qualifications in education programs.
Workplace Learning in Applied Curricula
To support practical employment readiness, the institution redesigned its four-year applied bachelor’s curriculum. The modified structure incorporates a full year of on-site workplace learning, representing 25 percent of the total programme duration.
“This record graduating cohort reflects the UAE’s sustained investment in developing national talent. At HCT, our priority is to ensure that education translates into practical skills, professional opportunities and meaningful contributions to the economy.”
Dr Faisal Alayyan, HCT President and CEO
The curricular redesign draws support from partnerships with more than 3,500 organisations established over the past five academic years. Notably, 87 percent of these partner entities operate in the private sector to assist modern economy demands.
Graduate Employment Outcomes
Industry partners provided more than 19,000 apprenticeship placements over the five-year period. Consequently, Higher Colleges of Technology maintained an average annual graduate employment rate of 88 percent across the same timeframe.
More than 4,400 members of the Class of 2026 have already secured active employment. Records from 2019 to 2025 show that 72 percent of employed alumni work in private sector roles, reflecting sustained demand for vocational training.
Institutional Growth Since 1988
Established in 1988 with an initial class of 182 learners, Higher Colleges of Technology now educates more than 25,000 students across the UAE. Total alumni figures have passed 95,000 individuals since operations began.
The institution currently offers 54 distinct majors covering media, business, computer science, engineering, and health sciences. International accreditation agencies have formally accredited 85 percent of the academic programmes currently taught across all campuses.
