Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Campus

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is the United Arab Emirates' largest applied higher education institution, established in 1988 by Federal Law No. 2 under the leadership of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

The Abu Dhabi campus is part of a system comprising 16 campuses distributed across various Emirates, including Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Fujairah, and others. HCT was founded to develop a post-secondary education system that emphasizes productivity, self-determination, and excellence, aimed at preparing Emirati nationals for professional and technical roles required in the rapidly evolving UAE economy.

The institution offers a wide range of programs across applied media, business, computer information science, engineering technology and science, health sciences, and education at various levels, including applied diplomas, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

The Abu Dhabi campus serves as one of the primary hubs in this network, providing state-of-the-art facilities and fostering an engaging educational environment with an emphasis on experiential, workplace-relevant learning methodologies. HCT has a strong commitment to gender inclusivity, with female students constituting approximately 63% of the total student body, reflecting its pivotal role in empowering Emirati women in national development.

Over 85,000 graduates have been awarded degrees since 1991, many of whom occupy significant positions in both the UAE and global markets. HCT is recognized for forming close partnerships with local industries and international universities to ensure its curriculum remains aligned with global standards and labor market needs.

Furthermore, HCT is the UAE's first approved university economic free zone, empowering the institution to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. It is also one of the first UAE institutions to have all its academic programs accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement in higher education.