Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Hassan has held a meeting with the Velidhoo Island Council on the development of a junior college on the island.
During the meeting, Minister Hassan said that establishing a junior college in Velidhoo, Noonu Atoll, will have an overall positive impact on the community by providing higher education and training opportunities. He said the junior college will have various vocational courses available. Members of the council expressed their satisfaction with the development of the junior college and assured they will give their full support to the project.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the project to develop the junior college in Velidhoo will begin soon. The project is part of the administration’s strategic action plan to establish higher education centres across the Maldives. As such, the higher education ministry is also building junior colleges in Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, and Kendhikulhudhoo, Noonu Atoll.
In March 2022, the ministry contracted Wee Hour Investment Private Limited to develop the junior college in Dhidhdhoo within 300 days. The junior college in Dhidhdhoo is to be dedicated to food processing and technology courses. The ministry stated the college will also conduct vocational courses in other sectors.
In November 2022, the ministry contracted Villa Educational Services Private Limited to build and operate a junior college in Kendhikulhudhoo. Villa Education Services is tasked with building the junior college with student accommodation under a Finance and Operate Public Private Partnership model. The company is required to build the junior college within two years and three months and operate it for 50 years. The junior college in Kendhikulhudhoo will provide courses in tourism and hospitality as well as vocational courses.