WRDC and HCT sign MoU to enhance education in Al Gharbia

The MoU is aimed at improving access to educational facilities and programmes in the region, and to also introduce innovative solutions to meet the present and future educational needs of the residents of Al Gharbia.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General of WRDC and Dr Phil Quirke, Director of HCT - Madinat Zayed and Ruwais Colleges.

Commenting on the partnership, H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei said: "The Western Region Development Council's MoU with the HCT - Madinat Zayed and Ruwais Colleges is a first step towards developing and enhancing the educational services within Al Gharbia. Working together with HCT, we will be expanding the reach and access of higher education to more communities across the region. Our commitment to the people of Al Gharbia is to help provide the foundation of a promising future and this MoU is just another step to ensure that all residents in Al Gharbia have access to excellent educational opportunities."

As per the MoU, WRDC and HCT will foster their collaboration by achieving and defining the educational objectives for the region. WRDC will act as a facilitator to aid HCT procure new facilities and campuses in Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi and explore opportunities for supporting educational developments within all the main cities of Al Gharbia.

On the signing of the MOU, Dr Quirke said: "HCT has 15 campuses across the UAE, two of which are located in Al Gharbia. With WRDC's help, we hope to expand our reach even deeper into the region.

Al Gharbia is blessed with bountiful talent and deep-rooted culture and our mission is to develop the youth by providing the educational foundation from which innovative solutions to aid new business start-ups can flourish."

As per the MOU, WRDC and HCT will explore opportunities to develop programmes tied to HCT-MZC International Twin Colleges in Business Entrepreneurship, Health and Oil & Gas, that can be developed with regional employers' financing and backing.

The two establishments will also collaborate in setting up business incubators for potential student entrepreneurship activities. They will also work closely to develop an expertise base from the local business community to advise and mentor students on business plans.

WRDC has already begun implementing initiatives as part of this MOU. As a first step, the Council is sponsoring two students at the HCT-Madinat Zayed & Ruwais Colleges.

These top students will also gain access to the WRDC career centres. The second initiative is to fund six students from HCT on a nine day trip to Japan. The students will act as ambassadors of goodwill and aim to build academic, economic and cultural bridges between UAE and Japan.

WRDC is continuing its work towards helping the local community of Al Gharbia evolve and build the region. WRDC's development plan includes involving and informing the local community in the development of the region and developing the capability of the public to play an effective role in the development process.