Founded in 1988 with four colleges, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) have grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the UAE, gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning. More than 18,000 students attend 17 modern men's and women's colleges in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western cities of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais.\\The HCT offers a wide range of English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Education, Engineering Technology, Computer and Information Science, General Education and Health Sciences. These programs are all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors. All programs are designed in consultation with business and industry leaders to ensure that the skills students learn are job-relevant and to high standards. The programs are constantly monitored to ensure they are at the cutting edge of industry standards and technological change.