UAE's Education Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Saturday opened the 23rd conference of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, senior officials and HCT's teaching staff attended the opening ceremony.

Sheikh Nahyan delivered the conference's keynote speech.

He said: "At the beginning of each academic year we convene to celebrate the success and progress of our colleges and to look forward to the future.

"Today, we take pride in the fact that our journey over the past 22 years has been guided by a clear vision, by a commitment to excellence, by strong leadership, by dedicated faculty and staff, and by the unwavering support of our communities and our national leaders.

"I am honoured today, as we embark on our 23rd academic year, to express gratitude to our leaders for their strong support of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

"The Higher Colleges of Technology is a national system of colleges, closely connected to and serving the needs of their respective communities. We take pride in our graduates who add exceptional value to their families, their communities and to their places of employment."