His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) graduation ceremony marking the institution’s largest cohort to date. More than 6,700 graduates from the 2025-2026 academic year were celebrated at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi under the theme “Strong Roots. Lasting Impact.” The event brought together graduates from HCT campuses across the UAE and spanned nearly four decades of the Colleges’ history.
The ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT; His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT; senior government and institutional leaders; partner organisation representatives; faculty; alumni; and families of the Class of 2026.
Dr. Al Falasi congratulated the graduates and their families, describing the cohort as a new achievement in HCT’s journey and a reflection of the UAE’s investment in human capital. He said HCT has evolved alongside the country over nearly four decades, preparing generations of talent for vital sectors, and that the responsibility now is to develop graduates capable of supporting economic diversification, innovation and competitiveness.
The programme featured a visual presentation tracing HCT’s history since its founding in 1988, highlighting Sheikh Nahyan’s role in establishing the Colleges and developing their educational model. A second video showcased growth in enrolment, academic programmes, specialisations and infrastructure. Graduates were announced by academic specialisation and recognised on stage, alongside awards for distinguished students and a pledge of allegiance.
The Class of 2026 recorded 43 per cent growth compared with the previous year. Graduates came from campuses nationwide: 1,640 from Abu Dhabi, 1,145 from Sharjah, 930 from Al Ain, 896 from Dubai, 887 from Ras Al Khaimah, 729 from Fujairah, 179 from Al Dhafra, and 360 from Khalifa bin Zayed Air College and Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College. Access will expand further with the opening of the new Masfout campus in the Central Region during the 2026-2027 academic year.
More than 12 per cent of the class achieved CGPAs of 3.5 or higher, 14 graduates completed studies with perfect 4.0 CGPAs, and 804 were recognised in distinction and honour categories. Eighteen distinguished graduates, including 14 with 4.0 CGPAs, received cars in recognition of excellence, supported by partners including AW Rostamani Group, Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Transport.
Dr. Alayyan described the milestone as significant not only for the numerical growth but for progress in programme development and academic and professional outcomes. He noted HCT’s applied education model offers flexible pathways that combine study with practical training, projects and competitions.
HCT has graduated more than 95,000 students since 1988. Average annual employment rates have stood at 88 per cent over the past five academic years, ranging from 84 to 93 per cent, with 2024-2025 graduates at 86 per cent. More than 4,400 members of the Class of 2026 entered the labour market within less than 12 months of graduation, and 72 per cent of graduates who entered the workforce between 2019 and 2025 secured private-sector positions.
Partnerships with more than 3,500 organisations over the past five years, 87 per cent from the private sector, have provided over 19,000 apprenticeship opportunities.
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Today more than 25,000 students study across 54 specialisations. Approximately 69 per cent pursue applied bachelor’s programmes, 24 per cent vocational diploma programmes and 7 per cent the Mahara Career Accelerators pathway. Vocational diploma enrolment rose from 379 in 2022-2023 to 6,276 in 2025-2026, while Mahara numbers increased more than fourfold in a single year.
