Your Highness Sheikh Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai
Your highnesses and excellencies
Nobel Laureates, participants in the Festival of Thinkers
International students, participants in Education Without Borders conference
HCT Alumni, Faculty and Staff
Esteemed guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I wish to welcome you all in the HCT 25th anniversary celebrations as we celebrate its prestigious status as a national educational institution renowned for its clear vision, determination, and commitment to innovation and service of the country.
We are honored with the presence of HH Sheikh Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai. We express our profound gratitude for his highness’s generous presence despite his commitments and responsibilities. We take pride in this honorable presence which reflects his highness’s recognition of the role of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the development process of the UAE. Thank you your highness for honoring our event with your generous presence and wise vision and conviction that education is the safest way to a better future. We take pride in your highness’s keenness to support education, knowledge and innovation that pave the way for a prosperous present and bright future where the UAE will assume a leading role in the world order and contribute effectively to the achievements worldwide in all fields.
Allow me your highness at the beginning of this ceremony to mention with all due pride and gratitude the role of the founding father of this nation and late leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. The Higher Colleges of Technology started their journey and progressed under his directives and guidance. Our allegiance to his beautiful memory motivates us to revive our vow to our leaders and citizens to continue on the path of national commitment to excellence and dedicated service. It will forever be an exemplary institution.
The HCT 25th anniversary is a golden opportunity to mention with great pride and appreciation the support of the UAE leaders and institutions for the Higher Colleges of Technology. I am honored today to express, on behalf of the HCT family, great allegiance and heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, for his continued support, which made the HCT an advanced institution reflecting the aspirations of the community and achieving high ranking in the region and worldwide.
I also wish to express my utmost appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, and their Highnesses the members of the UAE Federal Supreme Council, the rulers of the emirates, thanking them on behalf of the HCT family for their keenness to support these colleges and their generous contributions which enable them to fulfill their role in meeting the needs of national citizens.
I further wish to hail the great efforts and support of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which empower our colleges to maintain their positive desired role in the development process.
On this happy occasion it is worthy to mention the close ties between HCT and the institutions in the community which have a positive effect on the prosperity and remarkable achievements of the colleges. Their joint efforts serve the country.
I also thank the efforts and contributions of the HCT faculty and staff, as well as the sister colleges and universities that ensure cooperation with the HCT, hoping that these fruitful relations would flourish and endure.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We thank God the almighty for the development and success of the Higher Colleges of Technology. There are now 17 colleges across the UAE with 20,000 male and female students and 60,000 male and female graduates who have found promising employment in all sectors of the UAE. The HCT keeps abreast of all areas of scientific, knowledge and technological development worldwide.
The endeavors are never ending. The HCT will always be committed to the progress and prosperity of the nation. Its graduates will be empowered to meet the needs of the labour market. The HCT will continue to offer continuing education programs and contribute to the development of human resources in the UAE, promoting innovation in the community, encouraging initiatives and establishing ventures in accordance with the international performance criteria. The main purpose is to rank alongside prestigious colleges around the world.
The future will be more promising than the present as the HCT continues to achieve its goals and objectives with the support of the UAE leadership and God’s blessings.
The launching of the world student conference “Education Without Borders 2013” coincides with the HCT 25th anniversary, which is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President. Attended by students from 60 countries, this conference aims to bring students together across the borders to form a joint stance among youth in addressing key issues and challenges facing the world. I welcome all the participating students and extend to them the greetings of H.H the UAE president and conference patron and his great appreciation for the conference’s endeavors to develop students’ leadership qualities. H.H. the UAE President affirms to us that a student is the tool for progress in society and it is our collective duty to provide students with every opportunity to have a dialogue and listen to the views of others with respect, to expand their horizons, raise their awareness and encourage them to serve their community, country and the world.
The youth in this conference have a golden opportunity to contribute to shaping the nature of life on this planet and determining the desired future for this world. You have to benefit from your intelligence and competence and all God’s endowments in order to build your societies. I wish you success and hope that this conference will be a starting point for strengthening cooperation between you all.
I greet and welcome your highness again and express our pride in your honorable presence, and I wish to affirm on behalf of the HCT family that the HCT will always be a pioneering community hub that embodies the vision of H.H the UAE president. The colleges will develop the skills of nationals and help them to reach their full potential.
Thank you your highness for your care for the Higher Colleges of Technology and support of the Education Without Borders conference. We wish you and the UAE continued progress.