To reach professional and academic outputs

Colleges of Technology Offers 3 New Educational Tracks

Colleges are embarking on the next stage with a new educational model. From the source

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) announced the launch of its new applied educational model, which includes the introduction of three educational tracks for students according to their abilities and tendencies, which will be implemented at the level of admitted students in the next academic year (2024/2023), in addition to highlighting the strategic partnerships of the colleges, and their role in supporting the new model, especially at the level of training and employment, in addition to highlighting the new campus for colleges in Abu Dhabi in Baniyas, which will be operational by the next academic year.

This came during a media meeting organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology at its headquarters in Dubai, in the presence of the Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Faisal Al-Ayyan, the Deputy Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Sumaya Al Hosani, the Deputy Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology for Employment and Knowledge Economy, Hind Al Mualla, and the Director of Admission and Registration at the colleges, Dr. Khalid Al Hammadi.

The Director of the Colleges of Technology, Dr. Faisal Al-Ayyan, explained that the colleges are launching for the next stage with a new educational model, through which they aim to develop the human workforce based on the changing labor market requirements, and in line with the economic agenda of the state, stressing that «efficiency and readiness to work are the basis, because we want to graduate students for work, not for the job, in the sense that they are able to be productive in their work sites with creativity and excellence from the reality of knowledge and professional preparation related to the labor market».

He added that the colleges have made a set of strategic transformations to make a qualitative leap in the concept of applied education that makes the student more prepared for the future, through several axes, included in the new model, based on the introduction of three new educational tracks, which provide various opportunities for students according to their abilities and tendencies, and in line with the requirements of the targeted sectors in the labor market and industry, as the outputs of these tracks will include the provision of cadres of holders of professional certificates and professional diploma, in addition to the applied bachelor's degree in vital fields and disciplines, subject to evaluation and development. Continuous.

Al-Ayyan stated that the development of the new tracks was accompanied by an update on programs and specializations, in line with the requirements and needs of the labor market, within an integrated framework with college partners from various sectors, especially the private sector, which represents an important part in the colleges' performance indicators for the next stage, pointing out that the role of partners is one of the main factors supporting the success of the new educational model, as this will enable colleges to support the directions and efforts of the leadership in the country, in providing various employment opportunities and raising the rate of Emiratization. In vital sectors, this partnership will include the management of the educational process according to an integrated mechanism in the so-called "apprenticeship model", which achieves the link between the trilogy of academic study, practical experience and engagement with employers.

Al Ayyan praised the support of the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and President of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, for the colleges' new strategic plans and directions, which enabled them to launch their new educational model according to a realistic study of the labor market and its future needs of cadres and competencies, and in light of an effective partnership from the targeted labor and industry sectors, especially the private sector.

For her part, Sumaya Al Hosani explained that the reasons for the shift towards a new educational model included achieving more focus on "applied learning" in a five-year plan, as well as focusing on educational goals and vocational training programs, and the need to offer more comprehensive paths for students that meet their aspirations and tendencies, and ensuring the development of programs in accordance with the standards in force in international applied education institutions.

She stressed that the success of the new model depends on strategic partners in the educational sector and industrial sectors, working together to design programs and attract the best quality teaching cadres, who have practical experience in the labor market and are keen to train and develop them continuously, and cooperate with strategic partners at the advisory level, in addition to supporting training and employment for students during study and after graduation.

Dr. Khalid Al Hammadi spoke in detail about the three new educational tracks, explaining that the colleges have started applying the new admission criteria, according to the new model, through three tracks that take into account individual differences and pour into three outputs, including professional certificates, professional diploma and applied bachelor's degrees at the level of five programs including health sciences, business administration, engineering technology and science, computer and information science, and education.

He pointed out that more than 8000,31 students are expected to be received, an increase of about <>% compared to the previous academic year.

Al Hammadi explained that the general admission requirements require the student to obtain a high school diploma with a rate of at least 60% or its equivalent in any of its tracks, and to perform the Emirates Standard Test (EmSAT) in English or its equivalent, and there are conditions related to direct admission to students in the bachelor's degree: the elite track or its equivalent 60%, the advanced track or its equivalent 70%, the general and applied tracks or their equivalent 80%, and the level of English language proficiency is 1100 points in the "EmSAT" or its equivalent. As for direct admission to the professional diploma, it is required at the level of the advanced track or its equivalent 60%, the general and applied tracks or their equivalent 70%, and the level of English language proficiency 900 points in EmSAT or its equivalent, pointing out that there are detailed requirements according to the nature of each program.

Hind Al Mualla spoke about the strategic partnerships and their support for the new model, especially at the level of training and employment for students and graduates, stressing the importance of complementarity of work with partners from the targeted labor sectors and its role in achieving a link between the trilogy of academic study and practical experience and linking with employers, in a way that enhances students' readiness to engage in future jobs.

She pointed out that the colleges recently signed cooperation agreements with 11 partners from labor and industry institutions between government and private sectors at the level of health, education, energy, services, retail, security and the financial sector, and that these partnerships will provide students with about 4053 job opportunities, and 4200 training opportunities over five years, in addition to their support for colleges in establishing workshops and laboratories specialized in innovation, emerging technology, industrial solutions and financial technology, cooperation in developing professional programs and certificates, supporting applied student projects and research, and cooperation in Events and activities.

Al Mualla pointed to the colleges' focus in their new directions on employment in the private sector, and the launch of the "Ready for the Private Sector" initiative, which began as a first phase last December, and succeeded within six months in employing more than 1000,<> graduates in private sector institutions who were attracted to colleges and conducted direct job interviews with them.

New campus

Students from the Abu Dhabi Colleges of Technology (HCT) will begin their next academic year (2024/2023) at the new campus of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi, which is built on an area of 220,10 square meters and accommodates about <>,<> students.

The new campus includes a male building, a female campus, a main administration and central services building, a ballroom that can accommodate more than 1200,<> people, in addition to classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, and various facilities and services that have been designed in line with modern standards in design and sustainability.

Dr. Faisal Al-Ayyan:

"We want to graduate students for work, not for jobs, in the sense that they are able to be productive in their workplaces."

"The 'Ready for the Private Sector' initiative succeeded in employing 1000,<> graduates within six months."