President Calls on the New University to Focus on Creating an Informed and a Productive Workforce

President Mohamed Nasheed, in his inaugural address of the Maldives National University, said the primary objective of the university should be developing human resources and technical capacity in the country.

He called on first ever university to be set up in the country to focus on providing higher education and skills to many school leavers who join the workforce in order to make them informed and productive citizens.

Referring to the recent turn of democratic events in the country, the President said University’s roles also included contributing to consolidation of democracy and poverty eradication through education for future generations.

Outlining the duties of the university, the President noted that the Maldives National University should consistently improve and update its capacities in order to fully perform its roles in the current Maldivian society.

The President said the university would be the main passage of knowledge required to redefine the national identity based on the values of Islam, human rights and culture to reflect the current changes in the country.

In his address, the President outlined the areas in which the Maldives had comparative advantage, and therefore, excel in education and research.

Firstly, he said the Maldives could be a core of knowledge for studies and research on marine environment.

Secondly, the President said the scope for academic and scientific research in climate change and renewable energy was unmatched anywhere else in the world, calling Maldives a laboratory for climate research.

In addition, the President also emphasized that the Maldives, including the university and other institutions, could set an example to the rest of the world in building a fully fledged liberal democracy in an Islamic country.

He said the Maldives has set the precedence in peacefully unseating an autocratic ruler in an Islamic country, and events played out in Cairo’s Liberation Square were a replication of the peaceful demonstrations for democracy in the Republic Square in Male’.

In his address, President Nasheed also underscored his decision to appoint Dr Musthafa Luthfee as the Chancellor of the Maldives National University. He said Dr Luthfee’s wealth of experience and awareness of the current political and social environment of the country made him the most appropriate choice for the post of the University Chancellor.