HCT and Daman sign agreement

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the UAE’s largest higher education institution, and the National Health Insurance Company — Daman, the UAE’s leading health insurance provider, will collaborate to establish a new institute of health economics and boost local careers in the health insurance industry. HCT and Daman signed an agreement on Tuesday night, signifying the watershed partnership. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology and Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Daman. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the parties have agreed to establish a body to be called Daman Institute for Health Economics, which will beled by a newly appointed Daman Dean of Health Economics. It is envisaged that the Institute will work within HCT and the community to review, design, and develop learning and development programs related to health insurance with the aim to support the development of Daman employees and to attract UAE nationals, including HCT students, to the health insurance industry. The Daman Institute for Health Economics will also be engaged to conduct research into health economy with the aim to establish a repository of research information on health economics and other related topics. As part of the agreement, HCT and Daman will also consider the development of a two-year academic programme in health insurance economy for UAE Nationals (high school graduates/HCT Foundation students), as well as investigating new technologies and business approaches and the sponsorship of HCT students in health-related streams offering internships and project support at Daman. Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, welcomed the agreement as part of an exciting new partnership between HCT and Daman. “We are very pleased to be collaborating with an industry leader such as Daman, which will result in career-oriented programs to meet the specific needs of the local economy, as well as providing the highest quality education opportunities for young Emiratis so that they can become valuable members of their communities,” Dr Kamali said. “Our partnership with Daman will result in developing HCT studentswith the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute effectively to the nation and to reach their full potential and give new health insurance graduatesan unparalleled advantage in the workplace,” Dr Kamali added. From Gulftoday