United Printing & Publishing and Higher Colleges of Technology launch the region’s first print institution

United Printing & Publishing (UPP), the wholly-owned printing subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company, collaborated with Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to officially announce “The HCT – UPP combined Print Academy”. The Print Academy started its Work Readiness Program (WRP) in the field of Printing & Publishing for the HCT Certificate (Injaz) following the significant MOU signed between the two organizations earlier in June, 2009.
Twenty-two students are in the first printing and publishing WRP cohort that began on the 30th of August 2009. After a series of interviews, these students were carefully chosen.

Ali Saif Al Neaimi, CEO of UPP, said: “The ‘HCT-UPP Print Media Academy’ is the first-of-its-kind in the Gulf region wherein students who graduate will take up prime positions in the UAE’s printing and graphic communications industries. Our vision is to educate, train and prepare a set of pupils, especially from within the Arab region, who can be professional and competent leaders in the printing, publishing and graphic communications industries.”

He added: “We also aim to develop the human resources sector in the field of printing in the UAE and develop a strong national workforce, in addition to introducing innovative technologies to the UAE and the GCC region.”
UPP aims to introduce the Diploma in Printing and Packaging early next year and subsequently will offer a Diploma in Printing Management as well thereafter.

Furthermore Dr. Farid Elyahky, the Associate Dean of the Program at the HCT said: “A specific curriculum in printing and publishing was designed by HCT to be embedded in the WRP teaching material for this special industry. Classes have already started on August 30th and will be for 3 semesters where candidates go through practical training mainly in the areas of Press and Printing. The third semester is designated mainly to work simulation projects, job specific training, in addition to a work placement period of 6 – 8 weeks.”

The HCT, in coordination with UPP will be training candidates on the most sophisticated equipment at the UPP premises. Upon successful completion of the program, the UPP will offer immediate employment to graduates in different departments of their establishment. Furthermore, in its efforts to support the emiratization Program launched by the UAE government and the Abu Dhabi Emiratization Council (ADEC), the UPP will offer the graduates the chance to pursue their study for higher education and/ or career development in order to encourage national participation in the printing & publishing industry.

About UPP: Established in 2006, UPP (United Printing & Publishing), the wholly-owned printing subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company, has become one of the largest companies in the UAE, with printing operations situated in Abu Dhabi. The company is focused towards investing in cutting-edge technology and equipment. Through modern communication techniques, UPP guarantees smooth information transfer and fast response to all its clients – anywhere in the world.

UPP is already well known in the regional market for its mainstream products: newspapers, books, magazines, catalogues, directories, as well as for fast turnaround financial printing service and its capacity to cover all aspects of commercial printing.

UPP is also renowned for its ability to combine products and services into innovative and integrated solutions, which have already fuelled the company’s success and have led to increasing penetration of international markets.

About HCT: The system of the Higher Colleges of Technology is a community of more than 16,000 students and almost 2,000 staff based on 16 campuses throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – the largest higher education institution in the UAE.

The Higher Colleges of Technology are dedicated to the delivery of technical and professional programs of the highest quality to the students, within the context of sincere respect for all beliefs and values.

Graduates of the colleges will have the linguistic ability to function effectively in an international environment; the technical skills to operate in an increasingly complex technological world; the intellectual capacity to adapt to constant change; and the leadership potential to make the fullest possible contribution to the development of the community for the good of its entire people.