Vice President Faisal Naseem has stated that scientific research and studies is vital to reaching the level of socio-economic progress enjoyed by developed countries, while speaking at a ceremony held at the Maldives National University (MNU) to inaugurate “The Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR) – Covid-19 Special Edition”. Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim Hassan; Chancellor at MNU, Dr Hassan Hameedh; senior officials of MNU; and the Special Advisor on Social Policy at the President’s Office Dr Mustafa Lutfi, were present at the ceremony.

The Vice President commended the MNU's ongoing efforts to improve the scope and scale of scientific research in the Maldives, emphasizing that they will help drive the country’s progress. Moreover, he called on people to utilize their individual skills and talents to excel in their chosen field of expertise.

Noting the challenges the country faced following the initial start of Covid-19’s community spread in the Maldives, he also highlighted the role of scientific research with regard to identifying effective precautions and measures to slow and combat the spread of the disease.