UAE (Higher Colleges of Technology) HCT Hosts 2-Day Orientation for 5,796 New Students in Readiness for 2022-2023 Academic Year

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) recently held its annual orientation program for new students, which will see 5,796 freshmen join the 16 campuses for the 2022-2023 academic year.

For two consecutive days, students attended orientation sessions at the campuses to learn about their college enrolment process and life as HCT students, in order to be fully prepared for the new academic year, which marks the continuation of HCT’s “Hybrid Education” model.

HCT management welcomed its newly admitted students, congratulating them on choosing HCT as the institution where they will enjoy outstanding learning experiences.

Mr. Ahmed AlMulla, HCT Director of Student Engagement & Success, highlighted that HCT provides high quality applied education that combines distance learning and on-campus classes as part of its “Hybrid Education” model, which is tailored to meet students’ applied study needs.

He said that HCT students have the opportunity to obtain international professional certificates, accredited by international awarding bodies, in their areas of specialization, adding that HCT is the UAE’s first approved university economic free zone, empowering its students to establish their own startups and build their professional career at an early stage.

Mr. AlMulla added that the two-day orientation sessions enabled students to be acquainted with the HCT campus environment, including all information about HCT’s applied studies programs, student support resources, services, activities, facilities, digital & direct communication channels and e-services. Such detailed orientations will ensure students are fully prepared to start their studies.

Campus Executive Directors and relevant administrative staff across HCT’s 16 campuses were on hand to answer questions and inquiries and ensure students were fully informed of the course and program registration requirements. Students also became acquainted with campus facilities and services and how to optimize HCT’s state-of-the-art educational technologies. Throughout the orientation program, students’ health and safety was a paramount concern, with all necessary precautions taken.

During the orientation sessions, Mr. AlMulla emphasized HCT’s keenness to promote the Arabic language, together with Emirati identity and culture, in its programs and activities for the new academic year. This is in line with the directives of UAE’s leadership that constantly highlight the importance of linking young people to their national identity, traditions and culture, as well as the need to promote Arabic language, which is an essential part of the country’s national identity.

The students attending the orientations were advised of HCT’s volunteering program, which mandates each student must complete 100 hours of unpaid, volunteering work during their studies as a compulsory graduation requirement.

Mr. Ahmed AlMulla said the program has achieved great success and many students completing hundreds and thousands of hours, due to their passion and enthusiasm for voluntary work and community service. To date, over 2 million hours of volunteering work have been completed, which contributes to the strengthening of humanitarian activity and community service as integral components of the UAE’s national culture.