The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) (in Arabic:كليات التقنية العليا) was established in 1988, and is the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 19,000 students. During the 2009 - 2010 academic year there were 11,700 female and 6,500 male students enrolled at 17 campuses and 92 programs throughout the country. This number has increased for the current academic year. More than 48,000 UAE nationals are graduates of the institution. The HCT provides post-secondary education in business, education, engineering technology, information technology, applied communications and health sciences. The HCT places a strong emphasis on an innovative, project-driven and student-centred curriculum. English is used as the medium of instruction, with faculty recruited from around the world. The HCT has formal alliances with a number of international tertiary education and training institutions, and corporate partnerships with local and multinational companies. Some programs have international accreditation: for example, the HCT's Bachelor of Education degree was developed with, and is certified by the University of Melbourne.