Under the patronage of the President H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan AI Nahyan, the Higher Colleges of Technology of U.A.E. hold an international conference on education in Abu Dhabi from 6-8 April 1997. The conference "Technological Education And National Development" or "TEND 97" discuss the impact of technological education on national development, and aiming to exchange experience as well as viewing the worldwide new teaching and learning technologies and methodologies.

Tend 97 has attracted an imposing array of over 30 internationally renowned speakers covering the fields of national development, education and the role of institutions of learning in preparing people for the work-force. The conference also discusses the important role of woman in development process and ways of developing the international co-operation between establishments of technological education.