Top Sharjah officials attend HCT graduation ceremonies

Dr Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler’s Office, along with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, attended the graduation ceremonies for the 2025 cohort of students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Sharjah.

The event took place on Thursday at the University City Hall, celebrating both the applied bachelor’s and professional diploma levels.

During the morning ceremony, Sheikh Salem awarded graduation certificates to 464 graduates from the Applied Media, Engineering, and Business Administration programmes.

He congratulated the students on their achievements, posed for commemorative photos with them, and graciously accepted a commemorative gift from the Higher Colleges of Technology for honouring the occasion. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Humaid presented certificates to 473 graduates in the fields of Health Sciences, Computer Science, Information Science, and Education.

He also congratulated them on their accomplishments, took part in memorable photo sessions, and received a commemorative gift from the administration in recognition of his presence at the ceremony.

Dr Faisal Al Ayyan, the President & CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, took the stage to deliver an inspiring speech. He commended the insightful vision of our wise leadership in fostering human capital by prioritising education.

Dr Al Ayyan also highlighted the contribution of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whose leadership drives the development efforts of the emirate. Dr Al Ayyan wrapped up the ceremony by congratulating the graduates and their families on this significant milestone.

He encouraged them to dedicate themselves to hard work and pursue excellence in their professional journeys.

In a united display of pride, graduates from all programmes recited the Pledge of Allegiance, affirming their loyalty to the United Arab Emirates and its President.

They pledged to uphold the nation’s security and safety, commit to the Constitution and the law, and carry out their responsibilities with honesty and integrity.

Recently, the HCT signed a strategic partnership with Saal.ai, a cognitive technology company under the Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG).

The collaboration aims to equip Emirati students with future-ready skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies.

The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony held at the HCT campus, reinforcing both institutions’ commitment to nurturing local talent and supporting the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

This initiative aligns with the UAE Year of Community and the nation’s broader goals to accelerate innovation, empower youth, and foster impactful partnerships between academia and technology leaders. At the heart of this collaboration is the integration of DigiXT, Saal.ai’s UAE-developed enterprise-grade AI and big data platform, into HCT’s academic programmes. This will offer students hands-on learning experiences with real-world applications of AI and data analytics.

Through this platform, students will develop practical expertise that enhances their employability, while industry partners benefit from a skilled pipeline of graduates proficient in cutting-edge technologies.

This partnership is aligned with HCT’s 2023–2028 strategic vision, which prioritises applied learning, industry engagement, and the development of future-ready graduates. It also reinforces HCT’s role in delivering high-impact academic experiences that prepare Emirati students for the demands of an evolving global workforce.

The collaboration supports the UAE’s national educational agenda and the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to position the country as a global AI leader.

The strategy envisions integrating AI across sectors such as education, space, technology, energy, and transportation.

Dr Al Ayyan said, “This initiative marks a transformative milestone in our educational journey. By embedding AI into our curricula, we are equipping Emirati youth with the future-focused skills needed to lead in a digital economy. Our partnership with Saal.ai ensures students gain both technical competencies and the innovative mindset to become agile problem-solvers and drivers of national progress.”