Sheikh Nahyan attends HCT graduation ceremony for largest-ever cohort

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended a Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) ceremony celebrating more than 6,700 graduates from the 2025/26 academic year, the largest cohort in its history.

The 2025/26 academic year class recorded 43 per cent growth in graduate numbers compared to the previous year, reflecting the expanding base of Emirati talent HCT supplies to the labour market across a broad range of applied and professional specialisations.

This was accompanied by strong academic results, with over 12 per cent of graduates achieving CGPAs of 3.5 or higher, while 14 graduates completed their studies with perfect 4.0 CGPAs. The graduate rolls included 804 graduates recognised in distinction and honour categories.

Held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi under the theme “Strong Roots. Lasting Impact”, the ceremony brought together graduates from HCT campuses across the UAE.

They included 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.

This reach is set to expand with the opening of HCT’s new Masfout campus in the Central Region during the 2026/27 academic year, widening access to applied education for more students in the region.

HCT employment data shows average annual employment rates reaching 88 per cent over the past five academic years. Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses maintained employment rates above 90 per cent in each of the three academic years from 2022/23 to 2024/25.

For the Class of 2026, more than 4,400 graduates entered the labour market within less than 12 months of graduation.

It continues the journey of HCT, founded in 1988, which has graduated over 95,000 graduates whose contributions span government and private sectors across technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, engineering, industry, energy, healthcare, finance, education, creative industries and other vital sectors.

Today, over 25,000 students study at HCT across 54 specialisations.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT.