Ajman, August 13 (WAM) - His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, said that the inauguration of the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout represents a qualitative addition to the higher education system in the Emirate of Ajman, and an important step in the comprehensive development journey witnessed by the area of Masfout, in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Ajman, to empower the sons of the emirate and provide them with quality educational opportunities that keep pace with their aspirations and qualify them for active participation in building the future of the country.

He said that education is a fundamental pillar in the construction of man, and it is the most important driver of sustainable development and the creation of the future, explaining that the inauguration of the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout reflects the desire to bring higher education institutions closer to students, and provide equal opportunities for the sons of different regions to continue their university studies within a modern educational environment, whose programs are linked to the needs of the labor market and the rapid economic and technological transformations.

He added that the new campus represents an integrated educational and developmental project, the impact of which extends beyond the classrooms to include the family, community, and local economy, as it contributes to alleviating the burden of commuting on students and their families, enhances the stability of young people in their areas, opens promising academic and professional paths for them, and supports efforts to develop Masfout and surrounding areas and attract more projects and quality services.

His Highness the Crown Prince of Ajman affirmed that the applied programs offered by the University in the fields of business administration, computer science and information technology are consistent with the requirements of the next stage, as well as the state's expansion into the digital economy, artificial intelligence applications, and the shift towards more innovative and flexible business models.

He said, "We want our sons and daughters to possess the knowledge, skills, confidence, and ability to transform what they learn into added value in workplaces and production sites. They should be partners in developing their communities and serving their country. The Higher Technological Colleges model of applied education embodies this approach by linking academic study with practical experience, preparing graduates who are able to compete, adapt to changes, and take advantage of the opportunities provided by future sectors."

His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Higher Technological Colleges, and all the entities that contributed to the completion of the new campus. He affirmed that the Government of Ajman supports institutions and initiatives that invest in human capital, improve the quality of life, and enhance the emirate's reputation as an attractive environment for education, innovation, and sustainable development.

The announcement by the Higher Technological Colleges about the opening of its new campus in the Al-Masefout area of Ajman in September 2026 is a strategic step that expands its educational presence across different regions of the country. It enhances access for students in Al-Masefout, Al-Hatta, and neighboring areas to high-quality applied and professional higher education within a modern academic environment whose programs are linked to labor market needs and economic development priorities.

The opening of the Masfout Campus represents a new milestone in the journey of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the country’s largest provider of applied higher education, and extends its role in preparing national competencies to acquire practical and professional knowledge and skills that qualify them for active participation in priority economic sectors.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awari, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said that the opening of the new campus of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Masfout represents a qualitative step that embodies the commitment of the UAE to expanding access to higher education, particularly technical and vocational education, across all regions of the country, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to empower national competencies and prepare them for the future.

He added that the new campus is an integrated educational model linking the quality of educational outputs and the requirements of the labor market through the provision of academic, applied, and professional programs that align with the needs of priority economic sectors and contribute to providing students with practical and technical skills that enhance their readiness for the future and increase their ability to compete and actively participate in the development process.

He noted that this expansion is consistent with the country’s strategy to elevate the system of higher education, and contributes to providing quality educational opportunities that are equal and close to local communities, which supports comprehensive and sustainable development and enhances the contribution of our national sons to the efforts for construction and development in all sectors.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al-Baloul Al-Falasi, Minister of Sports and President of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said that development begins with empowering people and providing opportunities to help them discover their abilities and achieve their ambitions while participating effectively in building the future of their country.

He noted that the opening of the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Masfout translates this vision into reality by bringing practical higher education closer to the people of the region and neighboring areas, and providing an opportunity for them to acquire modern skills related to the needs of the national economy while opening promising career paths before them.

He said that the new campus represents a strategic expansion in the presence of the Higher Colleges of Technology, reflecting the development of its national role in delivering high-quality practical education to all areas of the country within an educational model that keeps pace with economic and technological changes and focuses on building skills required for the future.

He explained that practical education is not limited to acquiring knowledge but rather converting it into practical experiences capable of adapting to change, contributing to developing innovative solutions that enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and ensure its sustainable growth.

The new campus embodies the vision of the Higher Colleges of Technology in developing an educational model closer to students and more responsive to the economic and social needs of different areas of the country by providing modern practical and professional programs, flexible educational paths that allow students to continue their academic journey within an environment linking theoretical knowledge with practical application, and supporting their transition to the job market more efficiently.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, Director of the Higher Technical Colleges Complex, said that the opening of the Masfout campus reflects the approach adopted by the colleges in designing a flexible educational model that responds to the needs of the country and links academic programs with economic opportunities and promising sectors in each region, ensuring a more student-centered educational experience and one that is more relevant to future requirements.

He emphasized their commitment to offering at Masfout campus academic programs related to the development of skills needed by the job market, as well as providing students with practical experiences based on the application of modern technologies and learning through practice, in line with the philosophy of Higher Technical Colleges in preparing graduates who possess knowledge, skills, and the ability to continue developing in rapidly changing work environments.

He added that the model of Higher Technical Colleges is based on integration between academic education, practical application, and partnerships with various sectors, aiming to align educational outcomes with national economic needs and provide students with practical experiences that enhance their professional readiness from the early stages of their studies. He noted that Masfout campus will serve as a platform for developing these partnerships and qualifying competent individuals from the region who can make an impact and contribute to the march of economic and social development.

The new campus serves students from Masfout, Hatta, Mazir’a, Wadi Qor, Al Manai, Al Hawiyat and surrounding areas. This reduces the burden of commuting and provides them with the opportunity to pursue higher education near their families and communities while supporting regional development by preparing qualified national cadres capable of meeting the needs of economic and service sectors and contributing to their development.

The Higher Technical Colleges campus in Masfout offers two academic programs at the diploma level: Business Administration and Computer and Information Sciences. These have been designed to provide students with practical knowledge and skills related to the requirements of modern work environments, supporting their professional readiness.

The Applied Digital Transformation Diploma focuses on enabling students to use digital solutions and technologies, understand the role of technology and artificial intelligence in developing processes and services and improving institutional efficiency, helping them contribute to transformation projects across various sectors.

The Sales and Marketing Diploma aims to develop students' skills in areas such as communication with clients, understanding markets and consumer behavior, and developing sales and marketing activities according to modern practices. This prepares them for work in a wide range of economic, commercial and service sectors.

Masfout campus includes modern lecture halls with a capacity of up to 120 seats as a first phase, in addition to a number of educational and service facilities that have been equipped to provide an integrated experience for students and support their academic and personal needs throughout their studies. There is also a plan to build an integrated academic campus with comprehensive services and activities, both educational and community.

The campus design takes into account the provision of a safe, comfortable and stimulating environment for learning and collaboration, while employing modern technologies and educational tools that support the colleges' model based on applied education, direct interaction and practical projects.

The community nature of the campus will contribute to providing an educational experience closer to students, enhancing communication between them and academic and administrative staff, which will help build an interactive student community linked to the surrounding community environment and participating in its activities and initiatives.

The opening of the Al-Maseefut Campus extends the journey of Higher Technological Colleges, which began in 1988, and has established itself over more than three decades as a leading national institution in applied higher education. It now serves more than 25,000 students, with the colleges having graduated more than 90,000 graduates over the past decades who contribute to various economic and vital sectors of the country.

Employment rates at the complex exceeded 82% during the period 2019-2025, representing 73% of total students in private sector institutions with clear support from the Nafs program.

The Higher Technological Colleges attract more than 6,000 students annually across various colleges: health sciences, business administration, computer and information science, engineering, applied media, and education in different regions and emirates of the country.

More than 7,000 are enrolled in various diploma and career acceleration programs, including the Skill program, out of a total of 25,000 students, as part of an effort to support the job market with professional programs alongside the economic development and diversity witnessed by the country.

The number of graduates increased to 4,467 in 2025 compared to 2,997 in 2023, an increase of more than 46%. In 2026, the number of graduates will exceed 6,100 students, indicating a clear demand for the applied and professional programs offered by the complex. This also supports the job market with flexible human resources capable of adapting to various labor market needs, whether in the government or private sector.