Higher Colleges of Technology presents the 22nd Annual Conference

The Opening Address was given by HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology to an audience of over 1,500 faculty and staff.

HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said

"My charge to you today is this: As we reflect on our successes and take pride in our accomplishments, that we continue in the youthful spirit to have our behavior influenced by our beliefs. This, to me, represents our collective commitment to both idealism and pragmatism, a commitment that has been the hallmark of the Higher Colleges of Technology from the very beginning."

This was followed by a presentation of the Nikai Award for "Innovation in Teaching".

The first keynote was given by Professor Tapio Varis Chair of Professional Education UNESCO Chair in Global E-Learning University of Tampere, Finland. Dr. Varis spoke on "Faculty Development for Student Success".

Dr. Lowell Catlett, Dean at New Mexico State University, spoke on the "Educators' Role in Fostering a New Breed of Entrepreneurs".

Professor Otto Benavides,Director of the Instructional Technology and Resource Center for the School of Education and Human Development and Director of the NASA Educator Resource Center California State University, Fresno, spoke on "New Trends in Educational Technology".

The Vice Chancellor's Address was given by Dr.Tayeb Kamali.

The general session concluded with a panel of Higher Colleges of Technology alumni. The panel incuded Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Vice President of Mall of the Emirates. Hessa Mohamed Ali, who currently owns 2 beauty salons. Has been an entrepreneur since jointly setting up a salon in 1999. The third panelist was Abdullah AL Majid Advisor of the Minister of Justice. The panelist discussed their experiences in the business world.