Gulf News · 28 Sep, 11:41 · Technology briefing

Higher College of Technology honours 130 winning students of ‘HCT Skills 2026’

The Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates have formally recognised 130 students who excelled in the ‘HCT Skills 2026’ competition.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates have formally recognised 130 students who excelled in the ‘HCT Skills 2026’ competition. This annual event showcases practical competencies across various technical and vocational disciplines, highlighting the institution’s commitment to aligning education with industry demands. The awards ceremony underscores the growing emphasis on applied skills and professional readiness within the region’s higher education sector. For professionals, this signals a continued institutional focus on tangible, job-ready capabilities rather than purely theoretical knowledge, reflecting broader trends in workforce development.

Employer demand for Project Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This recognition signals that employers increasingly value demonstrable, practical competencies over generic academic credentials. You must prioritise upskilling in areas where hands-on application matters most. Technical proficiency alone is insufficient; you need to integrate these skills with strategic oversight. Focus on mastering project execution and technological adaptation. A smart professional would immediately audit their current toolkit, identifying gaps in applied technical knowledge. Enrol in courses that offer practical, project-based learning rather than passive theory. Develop a portfolio showcasing real-world problem-solving abilities. This shift demands that you prove your value through tangible outputs. Stay ahead by continuously validating your skills against industry standards, ensuring your resume reflects not just what you know, but what you can effectively deliver in a professional environment.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

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