The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has announced the winners of the second edition of HCT Skills 2026 at a ceremony held at its Dubai Academic City campus.
More than 800 students took part, competing in 39 applied and specialised skills across seven academic fields.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of HCT, praised the students’ performance and highlighted the importance of developing young Emirati talent and preparing them for the future economy.
His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi said: “As labour markets evolve at unprecedented pace, higher education must anticipate the capabilities that will shape future industrial and economic growth. At the Higher Colleges of Technology, our applied education model integrates academic excellence with industry-relevant experience, aligning graduate capabilities with the UAE’s strategic priorities and the evolving needs of its economic sectors. In doing so, we empower our graduates to lead the change and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s continued development.”
Stronger participation
Held across HCT’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi campuses, the 2026 competition attracted more than 800 students, up 60% from 500 participants in 2025. The number of skill categories also increased from 37 to 39, giving more students opportunities to showcase their abilities in specialised fields.
His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT, said the competition supports HCT’s efforts to enhance students’ practical learning and develop skills aligned with labour market needs.
His Excellency Alayyan said: “HCT Skills is an integral component of our applied education model, providing students with a structured journey from preparation and training to competition in authentic, workplace-oriented scenarios. It enables students to demonstrate their capabilities, identify opportunities for further development and strengthen the competencies required to succeed in an evolving professional environment. Equally, the competition provides HCT with valuable insights into student outcomes and the effectiveness of our educational approach in developing agile, confident and industry-ready graduates.”
He added: “We congratulate the winning students and commend all participants for the dedication, ambition and high standards they demonstrated throughout the competition. Building on the success of this second edition, we will continue to enhance its content, broaden participation and deepen collaboration with partners across key sectors, ensuring that students benefit from relevant professional expertise and industry perspectives. Our ambition is to establish HCT Skills as an enduring platform for applied excellence; one that advances the UAE’s talent-development priorities and empowers graduates to contribute meaningfully to the institutions, industries and communities they serve.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
