Be generous to education

As students begin the academic year across the colleges and universities in the UAE, the questions of the availability of seats and that of funding sources are critical issues when it comes to the future of such educational institutions. The case of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) stands as a good example of the need to address these two major issues.

For almost 20 years since its establishment, the HCT has been able to successfully expand in terms of campuses, fields of specialisations offered, as well as the number of its graduates. Since its inception and until today, no less than 30,000 students have graduated. On a similar scale, the UAE University has graduated more than 45,000 over the past 30 years.

But the HCT, like many other higher education institutions, is in need of consistent and adequate funding if it is to continue with its role and build on its success. "Our biggest challenge continues to be insufficient financial resources," said Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology. Undoubtedly, there is no excuse that higher education comes under the threat of being under-funded. This is the responsibility of the public as well as the private sectors.