President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that expanding higher education across the Maldives and ensuring learning opportunities in every atoll for youth and individuals of all ages is a vital step toward achieving sustainable development.
Delivering the Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis for the current year, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu highlighted that the Maldives Polytechnic launched training programs last year, covering specialized fields for Maldivians as well as additional technical areas.
Reflecting on the progress within the sectors of education, higher education, and skills development, the President revealed that 852 scholarship opportunities and 880 student loans have been granted, targeting various sectors essential for national development.
The President noted that technical and vocational education programs within the school system have been reviewed, and efforts to build a workforce for the economic sector have commenced. He further stated that to empower youth entering the workforce as productive citizens, a vocational education stream has been introduced at the higher secondary level, and the Maldives’ first vocational high school has been established. He emphasized that this is a significant part of the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s human capital. Furthermore, he noted that during the current academic year, school activities will be expanded to further train students in fields critical to the nation’s progress.
“Moreover, expanding higher education throughout the Maldives for youth and people of all ages, ensuring that study arrangements are available in every atoll, is a crucial step in achieving sustainable development. As part of these efforts, the development of higher education campuses has commenced for the first time in the history of the Maldives in all atolls that currently lack government institutions for higher education and training,” President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated.
Sharing statistics on government projects in the higher education sector, the President mentioned that 26 projects by the Maldives National University (MNU) are underway across 16 atolls, and 12 projects by the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) are ongoing in 10 atolls. Additionally, he noted that to facilitate technical education and training, work is progressing on developing technical vocational centers in 10 atolls, alongside 14 projects to establish academic facilities.
In his speech, the President highlighted measures taken to ease the difficulties faced by students studying abroad. To address the challenges of dollar availability, the card limit has been increased to allow a monthly withdrawal of $1,200. He also introduced the “Kuri System” this month to resolve administrative hurdles within government agencies. This transition from manual processes to automation will provide a permanent solution to the difficulties students face in securing funds.
“With complete documentation, funds will be disbursed immediately without delay, and students will be able to track their payment status in real-time. Furthermore, the long wait to determine loan eligibility will come to an end. Upon submission of an application, it can be instantly verified whether students are enrolled in other courses or if they have been blacklisted,” President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu added.
The President stated that last year, 2,728 students were provided opportunities under the First Degree Scheme, with a total of 11,252 students benefiting from the program, amounting to an expenditure of MVR 921,636,653.
