Higher Colleges of Technology connect with Microsoft solutions

Exchange will provide email and collaboration for all of the students and faculty at the HCT's twelve campuses across the UAE.

The HCT already has a long running relationship with Microsoft, and the latest deployment will leverage on the existing Microsoft Campus Agreement licensing program that provides the colleges with affordable licensed Microsoft software. The college is rolling out Microsoft Exchange and Active Directory to replace its existing environment.

"The Higher Colleges of Technology aim to provide the highest level of technical and professional programs to our students to give them the best opportunities once they graduate. An important part of that vision is creating an advanced learning environment at the colleges, so that the students can gain all the benefits of modern ICT solutions and so that they become familiar with them for when they enter the world of work," said Dr. Tayeb Kamali Vice Chancellor, HCT.

"This project came as a follow up on the discussion with Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft during his visit to HCT in April. The Microsoft solutions that we are deploying will help students and faculty to collaborate more closely on projects and enhance communications throughout the colleges, while also providing us with a secure, easy to maintain communications platform. We have a strong relationship with Microsoft, and we look forward to further collaboration with them to help the HCT to achieve its long term goals," he added.

Microsoft Consulting Services worked with the HCT on the planning of the project, and will also carry out the implementation. The project will standardize all the of the HCT campuses on the Microsoft directory and mailing system, to create a single environment to build future applications on.

"Microsoft works closely with the education sector to make sure that colleges, schools and universities are able to include advanced technology solutions as part of their teaching environment. The Microsoft Campus Agreement that we have with HCT gives it access to the latest Microsoft applications at an affordable price, to achieve this vision. We are pleased that HCT has chosen to partner with Microsoft, and we welcome the opportunity for Microsoft solutions to help HCT students to enhance their education through technology," said Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf.