The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour, and Skills Development is considering the establishment of a foreign university campus in the Maldives for the first time. According to the ministry, Ali Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University from Saudi Arabia has shown interest in opening an institute in the Maldives to offer Arabic language courses. State Ministers Dr. Abdulla Nazeer and Ahmed Shafeeu have discussed the proposal with senior officials from the university.
Nazeer stated that the university intends to set up a campus in the Maldives with the goal of expanding Arabic studies in the country. This would mark the first instance of a foreign university establishing a campus in the Maldives. "The government's goal is, within the Arabic Islam Education Program, to train teachers to teach Arabic language and to conduct special classes for adults who want to teach Arabic language. Through this, we will be able to train the people necessary to establish Arabic language studies in the local schools", Nazeer explained.
He mentioned that since the campus will belong to a foreign university, there is a possibility of attracting international students to study there. "This opens up a big investment, the establishment of an international university campus here in the Maldives", Nazeer said.
He mentioned that the government is working towards having five percent of higher education students in the Maldives be international students. He also noted that attracting international students would positively impact the country’s economy. During the meeting, the university was given information about the registration process for the institute and obtaining MQA accreditation. Additionally, it was emphasized that establishing this campus would further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
