His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology established CERT to accomplish two essential purposes of national importance:

1. To make the intellectual and educational resources of the Higher Colleges of Technology available to the community and the region at large.
2. To contribute to the growth and development of an applied research culture in the UAE leading to a national capacity to contribute to the growing body of knowledge world wide.

To achieve these two imperatives His Excellency encouraged CERT to build international alliances among leading institutions of learning and research, and to develop practical business relationships with leading multinational corporations. 

This vision would in turn foster technology, the start up of entrepreneurial joint ventures, and the expanding of the depth, breadth and quality of education.