Higher Colleges of Technology Expands Its Educational Presence with the Opening of Its New Masfout Campus in the Emirate of Ajman in September 2026

The opening of the new campus forms part of HCT’s efforts to provide an integrated educational experience within advanced facilities equipped with the latest technologies and learning tools.

* The new campus expands HCT’s network across most emirates of the UAE, bringing applied higher education opportunities closer to students in Masfout, Hatta and neighbouring areas.

* In its first phase, the campus will offer applied programmes in business administration and computer and information science, aligned with labour-market needs and supporting the future readiness of national talent.

* The first phase includes capacity for 120 students, together with integrated facilities that support the academic and student experience, alongside plans to expand the campus, introduce diverse programmes and increase student capacity.

Ajman, xx August 2026: The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has announced the opening of its new campus in the Masfout area of the Emirate of Ajman, in a strategic step that expands its educational presence across the UAE and enhances access for students in Masfout, Hatta and neighbouring areas to quality applied and vocational higher education opportunities. The campus provides a modern academic environment, with programmes aligned with labour-market needs and economic development priorities.

His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, said that the opening of the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout represents a significant addition to Ajman’s higher education system and an important step in the comprehensive development under way in the Masfout area, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, to empower the people of the Emirate and provide quality educational opportunities that meet their aspirations and prepare them to participate actively in building the nation’s future.

His Highness added: “Education is a fundamental pillar of human development and a key driver of sustainable development and future-building. The opening of the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout reflects the commitment to bringing higher education institutions closer to students and providing equitable opportunities for students from different areas to pursue their university studies in a modern learning environment, with programmes aligned with labour-market needs and rapidly evolving economic and technological transformations.”

He continued: “The new campus is an integrated educational and development project whose impact extends beyond the classroom to encompass families, society and the local economy. It will ease the travel burden on students and their families, promote the stability of young people within their communities, open promising academic and professional pathways for them, and support efforts to develop Masfout and neighbouring areas and attract further quality projects and services.”

His Highness the Crown Prince of Ajman affirmed that the applied programmes to be offered by the campus in business administration and computer and information science are aligned with the requirements of the next phase, as well as the UAE’s expansion in the digital economy, artificial intelligence applications and the transition towards more innovative and flexible business models.

He said: “We want our sons and daughters to possess the knowledge, skills, confidence and ability to transform what they learn into added value in the workplace and productive sectors, and to be partners in developing their communities and serving their nation. The Higher Colleges of Technology’s applied education model embodies this direction by connecting academic study with practical experience and preparing graduates who are capable of competing, adapting to change and capitalising on the opportunities offered by future-focused sectors.”

His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Higher Colleges of Technology and all entities that contributed to the completion of the new campus. He affirmed that the Ajman Government supports institutions and initiatives that invest in people, enhance quality of life, and strengthen the Emirate’s position as an attractive environment for education, innovation and sustainable development.

The opening of the Masfout Campus represents a new milestone in the journey of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the UAE’s largest institution of applied higher education, and extends its role in preparing national talent and equipping them with the practical and professional knowledge and skills required to contribute effectively to priority economic sectors.

Abdulrahman Al Awar: New Campus Promotes Equitable Opportunities and Advances Higher Education

In this regard, His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “The opening of the new Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout represents a significant step that embodies the UAE’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, particularly technical and vocational education, across all regions of the country, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to empower national talent and prepare it for the future.”

He added: “The new campus represents an integrated educational model that links the quality of educational outcomes with labour-market requirements by offering academic, applied and vocational programmes aligned with the needs of priority economic sectors. It will equip students with practical and technical skills that enhance their future readiness, competitiveness and active participation in the development journey.”

Dr Al Awar noted that this expansion is aligned with the UAE’s strategy to advance the higher education system and contributes to providing quality and equitable educational opportunities close to local communities. This supports comprehensive and sustainable development and strengthens the contribution of the nation’s people to nation-building and development efforts across various sectors.

Al Falasi: Investing in People Begins with Expanding Access to Quality Educational Opportunities

His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and [official HCT title to be confirmed], noted that development begins with empowering people and providing opportunities that help them discover their abilities, fulfil their aspirations and participate effectively in building their nation’s future. He said that the opening of the HCT campus in Masfout translates this vision into reality by bringing applied higher education closer to students in the area and neighbouring communities, and providing them with opportunities to acquire modern skills linked to the needs of the national economy and pursue promising career pathways.

Dr Al Falasi said: “The new campus represents a strategic expansion of the Higher Colleges of Technology’s presence and reflects the evolution of its national role in delivering quality applied education to all areas of the UAE, through an educational model that keeps pace with economic and technological transformations and focuses on developing the skills required for the future. Applied education is not confined to acquiring knowledge; it is founded on transforming knowledge into practical expertise capable of adapting to change and contributing to innovative solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy and the sustainability of its growth.”

The new campus embodies the Higher Colleges of Technology’s vision to develop an educational model that is closer to students and more responsive to the economic and social needs of the UAE’s diverse regions. This is achieved through modern applied and vocational programmes and flexible learning pathways that enable students to continue their academic journey in an environment that connects theoretical knowledge with practical application and supports their effective transition into the labour market.

Al Aayan: A Model for Applied Education That Is Closer, More Flexible and More Connected to the Community

His Excellency Dr Faisal Al Aayan, [official HCT title to be confirmed], noted that the opening of the Masfout Campus reflects HCT’s approach to developing a flexible applied education model that responds to the UAE’s needs and connects academic programmes with economic opportunities and promising sectors in each area, ensuring a learning experience that is closer to students and more closely aligned with future requirements.

Dr Al Aayan said: “We were keen to ensure that the Masfout Campus offers academic programmes linked to the development of the skills needed by the labour market, and provides students with learning experiences based on practical application, the use of modern technologies and learning through practice. This is in line with the Higher Colleges of Technology’s philosophy of preparing graduates with the knowledge, skills and ability to continue developing within rapidly changing work environments.”

He added: “The Higher Colleges of Technology model is founded on the integration of academic education, practical application and partnerships with various sectors, with the aim of aligning educational outcomes with the needs of the national economy and equipping students with practical experience that enhances their career readiness from the early stages of their studies. The Masfout Campus will serve as a platform for developing these partnerships and preparing talent from the area who are capable of making an impact and contributing to economic and social development.”

Applied Programmes Linked to Labour-Market Needs

The new campus serves students in Masfout, Hatta, Mazira, Wadi Al Qor, Al Munaie and Al Huwaylat, as well as neighbouring areas. It will reduce travel burdens and enable students to access higher education close to their families and communities, while supporting the area’s development by preparing qualified national talent capable of meeting the needs of economic and service sectors and contributing to their advancement.

The HCT Masfout Campus offers two diploma-level academic programmes in business administration and computer and information science. The programmes are designed to equip students with practical knowledge and skills aligned with the requirements of modern working environments and enhance their career readiness.

The Applied Digital Transformation Diploma focuses on enabling students to use digital solutions and technologies and understand the role of technology and artificial intelligence in developing processes and services and enhancing institutional efficiency, helping them contribute to transformation projects across various sectors.

The Sales and Marketing Diploma aims to develop students’ skills in customer engagement, understanding markets and consumer behaviour, and developing sales and marketing activities in line with modern practices, qualifying them to work across a wide range of economic, commercial and service sectors.

A Modern Learning Environment That Supports the Student Journey

The Masfout Campus includes modern classrooms with an initial capacity of up to 120 students, in addition to a range of educational and service facilities equipped to provide an integrated experience for students and support their academic and personal needs throughout their studies. Plans are also in place to develop a fully integrated campus offering educational and community services and activities.

The campus has been designed to provide a safe, comfortable and stimulating environment for learning and collaboration, through the use of modern technologies and educational tools that support HCT’s applied education model, direct engagement and practical projects. The community-oriented nature of the campus will provide students with a learning experience that is closer to their communities and strengthen communication between them and academic and administrative staff, helping to build an engaged student community connected to and actively involved in the activities and initiatives of its surrounding community.

Extending a Leading National Journey in Applied Education

The opening of the Masfout Campus extends the journey of the Higher Colleges of Technology, which began in 1988 and has, over more than three decades, established its position as a leading national institution in applied higher education. HCT now serves more than 25,000 students and has graduated more than 90,000 alumni over the past decades, who contribute across the UAE’s various vital and economic sectors.

HCT’s employment rate exceeded 82% during the 2019–2025 period, with 73% of employed graduates working in private-sector institutions, with significant support from the Nafis programme.

Each year, HCT attracts more than 6,000 students across its colleges of health sciences, business administration, computer and information science, engineering, applied media and education in various emirates and regions of the UAE. More than 7,000 students are also enrolled in its diploma programmes, Career Accelerators and Mahara programme, out of a total student body of 25,000 students. This supports the labour market through vocational programmes that respond to the UAE’s economic development and diversification.

The number of HCT graduates rose to 4,467 in 2025, compared with 2,997 graduates in 2023, an increase of approximately 49%. In 2026, the number of graduates is expected to exceed 6,100 students, indicating growing interest in the applied and vocational programmes offered by HCT and its role in supporting the labour market with a flexible workforce capable of adapting to the diverse needs of both government and private-sector employers.