HCT and UTC set up manufacturing training center in Abu Dhabi

The agreement was signed by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology and Mr. Louis R. Chênevert, UTC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan and Mr. Chênevert also officially opened the UTC Training Center, located at the campus of the HCT Abu Dhabi Men's College.

UTC and HCT will collaborate and train HCT faculty on UTC's Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) operating system in anticipation of creating an ACE curriculum at HCT.

The parties also will cooperate on delivering UTC courses in leadership development, programme management and sustainability awareness to HCT faculty and students.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said, "The innovative UTC Training Center would assist students in honing their employment skills so as to effectively contribute to the nation's growth, and also to provide faculty with additional training opportunities."

"The Higher Colleges of Technology is proud to provide cutting-edge and student-centered education practices, such as this center, to prepare its graduates for in-demand careers in this increasingly globalised economy," Dr. Kamali said.

"With our partnership with UTC we are developing graduates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute effectively for the 21st Century and to reach their full potential," he added.

"As we celebrate the Higher Colleges' 25th Silver Anniversary we continue our focus on connections with industry leaders, such as UTC, to enable our students to obtain vital skills through 'learning by doing' that will give them a solid foundation as they enter the workforce," Dr. Kamali added.

"This partnership builds on UTC's core values - producing world-class products for modern life and applying world-leading manufacturing skills. UTC's operating system, ACE, is at the heart of UTC's success and we look forward to bringing these skills to the Gulf region. The partnership with HCT furthers our commitment to advancing education, promoting innovation and encouraging understanding, respect and collaboration across cultures," said Louis Chênevert, UTC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.

"The Gulf region is an important market for UTC and cultivating the region's best talent will fuel innovation and growth for decades to come," he added.

As part of the agreement, UTC becomes a founding member of the HCT Foundation's HCT 100, a group of top business partners contributing to development of the UAE workforce. UTC and the HCT Foundation also will explore other opportunities for collaboration, such as possible internships for HCT faculty and students and tours of UTC facilities to familiarize HCT students with employment opportunities in those businesses.