H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received a delegation from the Higher Colleges of Technology, headed by Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Chancellor of the System of Higher Colleges of Technology, Vice Chancellors, Faculty Directors and Heads and Executive Deans.
His Highness listened to a briefing on the most important elements of HCT’s strategies and new vision for the “second generation” for the next five years, presented by Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Chancellor of the System of Higher Colleges of Technology. During this presentation, Dr. Al Shamisi explained to His Highness the three basic pillars of the strategy that will support the achievement of the basic strategic objective. These are aimed at preparing national competencies that become the first choice for the job market, and to reach 100% employment rate of graduates by 2021, in line with the aspirations and vision of the wise Leadership.
His Highness welcomed the delegation representing national academic and administration leaders, stressing on their pivotal role in preparing students, qualifying them to contribute to the building and development journey witnessed by the State in all fields.
His Highness added that UAE, under the leadership of H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, is proceeding in the preparation and qualification of national cadres in accordance with the latest education systems, pointing out that preparing such competencies is the means for enhancing advancement and development for our country.
H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan added that building national competencies which possess advanced training, educational skills and capabilities is an urgent requirement, mentioning that the Higher Colleges of Technology and other educational institutions are considered a basic pillar in supplying the country with such distinguished competencies. The aforementioned will contribute to the enhancement of the goodness and giving process. His Highness stated that strengthening education in the UAE and developing the same to meet the current development process is a foremost priority for the wise Leadership.
His Highness added: “We believe in quality not quantity. We count on educational institutions such as yourselves which bear the responsibility of “being entrusted with education” to discover those competencies, which provide pride to their people and country, and our future generations.
His Highness also added: “We are going through an era much different than its predecessor. It consists of three or four different generations that require us to deal with each of them in an appropriate manner. During the last fifty years, we have encountered a significant technological breakthrough which requires us to place priorities on our work, since the basic test and challenge of our time is quality, where progression favours those of the highest quality. We are currently concentrating on the most important investment, which is the human element”.
H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that the multiplicity of development paths, and tributaries in the UAE underscores the need to promote a qualitative and competitive education which meets our needs and future aspirations.
The three strategic pillars are the provision of flexible vocational academic education, from diploma and higher diploma to bachelor's degree, in order to prepare national competencies of technicians and operators, in addition to engineers, to meet the requirements of the industrial sector in the country. The strategy is implemented through the “hybrid education” model which combines both academic and professional aspects through education based on academic study, vocational training and professional skills, enabling students to graduate with internationally recognized academic and professional qualifications which support their readiness for the labour market.
Dr. Al Shamsi spoke to His Highness about the third pillar of the strategy for preparing national outputs which will contribute to enhancing Emiratisation in the private sector, by empowering students with professional and occupational skills in an educational and practical environment. These should be in line with the current and future requirements of this sector. In addition to this, entrepreneurship will be strongly encouraged by promoting innovation, encouraging creative ideas, and supporting their adoption into businesses, in order to direct students' thinking towards the establishment of small and medium enterprises to support the national economy in this country.
23/08/2017