In pictures: HCT celebrates its 25th anniversary

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - - - March 24, 2013 --- Nayereh Tavafi is one of the longest staying faculty members at the Dubai Womens College. This is a phot of her from 1992. The Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Women's College will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. ( DELORES JOHNSON / The National )

A 1992 photo of Howard Reed, Director of The Higher Colleges of Technology. Delores Johnson/The National

Shankar Subramani, who joined in 1991 as a business teacher, is now the Business Programme Chair. Delores Johnson / The National

Nayareh Tavafi has taught English at the Dubai's women's campus since it opened in 1989 - she is one of the longest serving faculty members there. Delores Johnson / The National

Shankar Subramani, seen here in a 1992 photo, says the women eventually "changed their perceptions of working over the three or four years they were in the college, especially once they had done their compulsory work experience." Delores Johnson / The Nat???

The Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Women's College - is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Tuesday.

The Higher Colleges of Technology had only four colleges when it opened 25 years ago. Courtesy of Dubai Women's College

The colleges were modelled on the US community college system. Courtesy of Dubai Women's College

The Dubai Women's College now has about 2,500 students. Courtesy of Dubai Women's College

Before HCT, many parents were reluctant to let daughters travel, restricting access to higher education. Courtesy of Dubai Women's College

A view of the college campus. Courtesy of Dubai Women's College

The colleges’ longest-serving campus head is Dr Howard Reed, who has been head of the Dubai’s women’s campus since 1991. Delores Johnson / The National

In 1990, Mahdi Hassan was among the first batch of graduates from Dubai’s men’s campus, training to be an aircraft technician. Now his children attend a HCT institute. Jaime Puebla / The National