His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), officially launched the first edition of the “HCT Skills” Competition. He expressed his pride in the students and wished them success in the competition and their upcoming academic and professional journeys.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi stated: “The launch of the ‘Higher Colleges of Technology Skills Competition’ embodies our unwavering commitment to building an advanced applied education ecosystem that graduates highly qualified national talent, capable of excelling and competing at the highest levels. This competition represents not only a student event but a strategic platform underscoring our vision of equipping youth with the practical skills and technological knowledge essential to fully engage with the economy of the future. We are incredibly proud of the participating students who stand as an inspiring model of a confident generation, highly capable of making a significant contribution to shaping the nation’s future.”
His Excellency further added: “We believe that true excellence begins with the ability of students to translate their learning into practical applications that address real-world challenges. For this reason, this competition has been designed to provide a training environment that aligns with the highest international standards, offering participants the opportunity to test and innovate and to demonstrate their readiness for the job market. At the Higher Colleges of Technology, we will continue to support, empower and enable Emirati youth to lead the nation’s development efforts in knowledge-driven economic sectors and to actively contribute to achieving the goals of the We the UAE 2031 vision and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.”
This flagship competition was held on 18-19 November 2025, at HCT Abu Dhabi, Bani Yas Campus.
The competition aimed to achieve the objectives of inspiring innovation, showcasing talent, and shaping the future. The HCT Skills pioneering initiative gathered top qualifying students from across the Colleges’ various campuses. The first edition featured over 500 students who competed in 37 distinct skills. These competitors were the top qualifiers, having progressed through campus-level trials held across the semester. Students received ongoing mentorship from faculty and chief experts, with regular coaching that reinforced the practical elements of each skill and ensured a consistent level of readiness for the competition.
The HCT Skills Competition represented the realization of the Colleges’ strategic vision to be a national pioneer institution in applied and competency-based higher education in the UAE. This edition functioned as a national platform and major contributor to effectively serve and align with the requirements of the evolving job market. The competition aimed to equip HCT students with advanced capabilities and essential skills that enable them to compete in leading local and global competitions. Through this advanced institutional initiative, HCT reinforced its commitment to supplying strategic sectors and the future economy with highly skilled Emirati talent.
Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, President & CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, stated: “The launch of the inaugural HCT Skills Competition marks a pivotal moment in our strategic vision to solidify our leadership role as a driving force in competency-based applied education. This platform offers our students from all campuses a fully immersive, practical experience reflecting real-world scenarios. The challenges – by adhering to the global standards – ensure HCT graduates acquire advanced, job-ready capabilities and the robust confidence needed to lead innovation in the UAE’s strategic sectors and contribute to supporting its economic growth.”
Dr. Michael Koh, Acting Chief Academic Officer of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said: “The HCT Skills Competition is a dynamic platform that brings our academic vision to life by giving students meaningful opportunities to engage in applied learning and showcase their technical expertise, analytical abilities, and specialized competencies. By demonstrating this level of technical mastery, our graduates are empowered to become innovators and leaders capable of contributing to the UAE’s economic development.”
The competition challenges were co-designed to meet the highest global standards, with assessments carried out by chief experts and independent specialists using internationally recognized rubrics alongside criteria tailored to each discipline. The process evaluated precision, timing, creativity, and the ability to sustain performance under demanding conditions among other key factors. This approach reflected the Colleges’ commitment to aligning its educational outcomes with future labour market needs. Students competed with the latest standards and equipment in practical conditions, proving they possessed the job-ready skills needed to drive innovation in the UAE market immediately upon graduation.
The format of the challenges was shaped to follow the established models used in major skills competitions, which gave students a clear and coherent framework to demonstrate their abilities.
The 37 future-focused competitions were a comprehensive showcase of HCT’s core mission, spanning the full spectrum of its academic divisions.
- Engineering Technology & Science, Students designed, built, and innovated through technical problem-solving and advanced technology applications, featuring skills that included: Drones, Robotics, CNC, Renewable Energy, and CubeSat.
- Manufacturing & Design: Precision, creativity, and innovation came together as students mastered design and production techniques. Focusing on critical fields like Mechanical CAD, CNC Turning, 3D Printing and Industrial Control.
- Science & Innovation Skills: Hands-on experiments and engineering excellence met scientific exploration and real-world application, covering essential skills such as Chemical lab, Autonomous Robotics, and Aircraft maintenance.
- Education & Creativity Skills: Inspiring new ways to teach, learn, and engage through digital storytelling, creativity, and learning design. Highlighting key competencies in CT4Kids, MathScape, and Storytelling with AI.
- Communication & Expression Skills: Empowered students to communicate effectively, think critically, and express ideas with confidence. Showcasing modern creative skills in Arabic and English communications, as well as a Math Olympiad.
The winners are scheduled to be announced at a later date, in recognition of the outstanding students and their contributions to reinforcing the nation’s leadership in education and innovation.
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