HCT graduates 6,700 students as vocational education expands across the UAE

The UAE’s Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has graduated more than 6,700 students for the 2025–2026 academic year, marking its largest graduating cohort to date and a 43% increase from the previous year.

The graduation ceremony, held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, alongside senior government officials, academic leaders, and graduates’ families.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT, said the graduating cohort reflects the UAE’s focus on developing national talent and investing in human capital to support its economic and development priorities.

He added that HCT’s applied education model aims to prepare graduates for changes in the labor market and support the country’s economic diversification, innovation and competitiveness goals.

Of the 6,700 graduates, 1,640 completed their studies at the Abu Dhabi campus, followed by 1,145 in Sharjah, 930 in Al Ain, 896 in Dubai, 887 in Ras Al Khaimah, 729 in Fujairah and 179 in Al Dhafra. A further 360 graduated from Khalifa bin Zayed Air College and Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College.

HCT plans to expand its national reach by opening a new campus in Masfout during the 2026–2027 academic year.

More than 12% of the graduating cohort achieved cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs) of 3.5 or higher, while 14 graduates achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. A total of 804 graduates received distinction and honors recognition.

Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT, said the increase in the number of graduates reflects the institution’s expanding academic programs and improvements in educational and professional outcomes.

He added that HCT’s applied education model combines academic study with practical training, giving students opportunities to participate in industry projects, activities and specialized competitions.

The institution reported an average annual graduate employment rate of 88% over the past five academic years, with individual rates ranging from 84% to 93%. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the employment rate stood at 86%.

More than 4,400 members of the Class of 2026 entered the labor market within 12 months of graduation. Meanwhile, 72% of HCT graduates who entered the workforce between 2019 and 2025 secured positions in the private sector.

HCT also reported partnerships with more than 3,500 organizations over the past five academic years, 87% of which were from the private sector. These partnerships provided more than 19,000 apprenticeship opportunities for students.

The institution, established in 1988, has graduated more than 95,000 students across its campuses. It currently has more than 25,000 students enrolled across 54 specializations.

Its educational pathways include applied bachelor’s programs, vocational diplomas and the Mahara Career Accelerators program. Around 69% of students are enrolled in applied bachelor’s programs, 24% in vocational diplomas and 7% in Mahara.

Vocational diploma enrolment increased from 379 students in 2022–2023 to 6,276 in 2025–2026, representing more than 16-fold growth. Meanwhile, enrolment in the Mahara program rose from 396 to 1,689 over the same period.