24 H I G H E R C O L L E G E S O F T E C H N O L O G YStudents with Special NeedsUnder <strong>the</strong> conditions outlined in <strong>the</strong> policy document,Accommodations for Students with Special Needs,it is possible to provide reasonable academicaccommodation for students with special needs.providing opportunities to sponsor students to followregular programs. Sponsored students progresstowards graduation with <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> employers inreturn for <strong>the</strong> commitments specified in <strong>the</strong> sponsorshipagreement.<strong>HCT</strong> Catalogue 2010/2011 <strong>Overview</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong>Students with special needs (e.g. physical, medicalor learning difficulties) may be eligible for extrasupport. This could take <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> special equipmentor materials, or additional time to complete courserequirements. Students are required to provideappropriate medical documentation detailing <strong>the</strong>irspecial need.It is important that students contact <strong>the</strong> Academic andStudent Services <strong>of</strong>fice at <strong>the</strong>ir college as early aspossible in order to obtain appropriate support.Sponsored Students and ProgramsIn partnership with industry, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Higher</strong> <strong>Colleges</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Technology</strong> develops sponsored programs. Through<strong>the</strong>se, graduates gain credentials by following aprogram <strong>of</strong> tailored courses established by closecollaboration between <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong> and employmentproviders and subject to agreement between <strong>the</strong>m.Citi Foundation Bachelor ScholarshipsGraduates having completed a <strong>Higher</strong> Diploma andwishing to return to obtain <strong>the</strong>ir Bachelor <strong>of</strong> AppliedScience in Business are eligible for sponsorship througha Citi Foundation Scholarship. These scholarshipsbenefit students with a proven academic track record,allowing <strong>the</strong>m to upgrade <strong>the</strong>ir qualifications inresponse to industry needs and to promote life-longlearning.Students on sponsored programs acquire a set <strong>of</strong>knowledge, skills and attributes specifically sought by<strong>the</strong> program sponsors.In addition to sponsored programs, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Higher</strong> <strong>Colleges</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> forms partnerships with employers in24<strong>HCT</strong> Catalogue | 2010/2011
H I G H E R C O L L E G E S O F T E C H N O L O G Y25Learning ResourcesEach college features a Library and Learning Centrewhich provides resources that support <strong>the</strong> curriculumand services that develop and foster independentlearning and information literacy.LibrariesLibraries at <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong> are among <strong>the</strong> best equipped andmost extensive in <strong>the</strong> Gulf region. In addition to <strong>the</strong> fullrange <strong>of</strong> library collections and services, <strong>the</strong>y featureadvanced information and learning technologies.Students have access to high-performance computersand extensive digital information resources.Library users can search <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong> web-based librarycatalogue to find and request books and materialshoused at any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> libraries within <strong>the</strong> system. A widevariety <strong>of</strong> online databases, to which <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong> librariessubscribe, provide full-text journal articles, e-books,and o<strong>the</strong>r electronic resources. All library resourcesare easy to access via http://library.hct.ac.ae.Resources available in each library include:general and course-related books that may beborrowed by students and staff;reference books for use in <strong>the</strong> library;local and international newspapers in print andonline;magazines and journals on a wide variety <strong>of</strong>topics;aggregated databases featuring full-text articlesfrom journals and magazines;e-books, online documents and reports;graded readers, annual reports, pamphlets, andlocal newspaper clippings;instructional resources and kits;DVDs, videocassettes and audiocassettes;computer s<strong>of</strong>tware.The <strong>HCT</strong> library collections consist <strong>of</strong> over 160,000titles, 320,000 items and many more online informationresources. In addition, <strong>HCT</strong> students and staff haveaccess to over 350,000 books through LIWA (www.liwa.ac.ae), <strong>the</strong> shared catalogue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> libraries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong>,United Arab Emirates University and Zayed University.Document delivery services from o<strong>the</strong>r UAE librariesare available through <strong>the</strong> interlibrary loan program.Perhaps <strong>the</strong> most valuable resources are <strong>the</strong> librariansand staff who assist students and faculty in each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>libraries. Library staff help find <strong>the</strong> answers, from quickfacts to extensive research questions. Each library<strong>of</strong>fers individual and group instruction, with sessionsranging from general information literacy skills tospecific research techniques and resources in each area<strong>of</strong> study.Learning CentresThe Independent/Enhanced Learning Centres providestudents with computers and a variety <strong>of</strong> interactives<strong>of</strong>tware and print-based learning materials. Studentscan use <strong>the</strong> Learning Centre to develop <strong>the</strong>ir learningand study skills, improve <strong>the</strong>ir English language skills,review course materials, complete project assignments,or work with an instructor on a specific assignment.Resources available in each Learning Centre include:online learning materials for independentpractice, review, and study;interactive CD-ROM and o<strong>the</strong>r computer s<strong>of</strong>twareprograms;audio CDs, and DVDs;language learning materials, equipment andfacilities;workbooks and special study materials.Textbooks and MaterialsTextbooks and o<strong>the</strong>r instructional items are providedby <strong>the</strong> colleges ei<strong>the</strong>r free <strong>of</strong> charge or for a fee asdetermined by <strong>the</strong> Chancellor. Students are expected toequip <strong>the</strong>mselves with routine personal items requiredfor classroom use.Instructional items provided by <strong>the</strong> college include:essential textbooks (students are required to payfor loss replacement)<strong>HCT</strong> Catalogue 2010/2011 <strong>Overview</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>HCT</strong>25<strong>HCT</strong> Catalogue | 2010/2011