HCT Launches 9th annual Abu Dhabi Industry Award 

(MENAFN Press) ABU DHABI, March 20, 2012: The Higher Colleges of Technology has launched its ninth annual Abu Dhabi Industry Award which recognizes and honors the hard work and outstanding achievements of its 33 highest achieving 2011 graduates, with significant cash awards.

The ADIA are given annually to HCT graduates who are in the top 10 per cent of their graduating class and professional program specialization. The awards are held in May, before the end of the academic year, under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

The 33 recipients have been selected from 3,862 HCT graduates of the 2010-2011 academic year and represent the Masters, Bachelor, Higher diploma and Diploma programs. They will be recognized in a ceremony held in May 2012, in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan.

The Abu Dhabi Industry Award started in 2004 when industry leaders and executives representing a broad spectrum of Abu Dhabi industries, and who form the HCT's Program Advisory Committees, took the initiative to reward the best HCT graduates for their hard work, dedication and endeavour.

Cash prizes and trophies are awarded annually to top HCT graduates, selected for their overall academic performance in their professional program specializations. Since 2004, more than 250 graduates have received recognition.

The ADIA is overseen by a distinguished Board of Governors which ensures the following key objectives are achieved:
To encourage national students to pursue professional programs which are vital for local industry;
To encourage national students to excel in their studies and attitude to reflect positively on the country;
To provide a platform for UAE industry to recognize excellence in national graduates.

The awards are open to graduates from all HCT campuses located across the United Arab Emirates and due to the steady increase in the number of corporate sponsors since last year, the HCT will bestow upon each of the 33 select undergraduate award winners an AED 25,000 cash award. Master's graduates will receive AED 30,000, as in past years.

Under the award's scheme the 17 HCT campuses nominate entrants from the 2011 graduate cohort, who have attained Grade Point Average scores of 3.5 and above “ from a total of many hundreds of Masters, Bachelors, Higher Diploma and Diploma students, nominated from the six core program fields taught at the HCT.

The Colleges' nominations are based on the criteria of students' GPA and graduation project and work placement grades; attendance record and contribution to college activity and the community. Previously the awards were open to selected HCT graduates in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. From 2009, they were extended to include HCT graduates from all UAE emirates.

HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali was joined by representatives from a number of the 24 sponsors of the 2012 ADIA at a ceremony at the Khalifa City Women's Campus today.

Dr Kamali said the 33 Abu Dhabi Industry Award recipients were exceptional ambassadors for the Higher Colleges of Technology in its commitment to excellence in higher education.

"It is very pleasing to see these talented graduates, who will become future leaders contributing to the UAE's growth, being acknowledged for their years of hard work and dedication in their chosen fields of study. They are all to be congratulated," Dr Kamali said.

"We also thank and recognize our many industry sponsors for their ongoing support and partnerships with the Higher Colleges. Their ongoing efforts make the Abu Dhabi Industry Award such an important aspect of the graduates' development and growth, and highlight the important links between our industry partners and the graduates," Dr Kamali added.

The following 24, 2012 Abu Dhabi Industry Award sponsors represent a wide spectrum of industries within the Abu Dhabi emirate, from private and public sectors.

Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corp. (ADBIC); Emirates Steel Industries; Abu Dhabi Oil Co. Ltd.(Japan); Etihad Rail; Abu Dhabi Ports Company; Ruwais Fertilizer industries (FERTIL);
Abu Dhabi Aviation Technologies (ADAT); GASCO; Abu Dhabi Gas Development Company (Al Hosn Gas); Gulf Business Machines (GBM); Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA); The Kanoo Group; ADGAS; National Drilling Company (NDC);
ADMA-OPCO; National Petroleum Construction Company;
Al Jaber Group; Petrofac Emirates LLC; Ali & Sons; TAKREER;
DAMAN Insurance; Union National Bank; Dolphin Energy; ZADCO.