Ministry of Finance has announced it is seeking interested parties for the operation of the Junior College at Dhidhdhoo in Haa Alifu Atoll and the state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre at Alifushi in Raa Atoll. The finance ministry has opened the opportunity to submit tender documents for Expression of Interest (EOI).
The two projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Higher Education. The tender documents related to EOIs for the operation of these institutes can be downloaded from the finance ministry's official website.
The higher education ministry said construction work on both facilities is progressing rapidly. A total of 90% of the concrete works have already been completed. The institutes will be handed over for operation after the completion of the construction work of the buildings. The contractors will procure and install all the furniture, equipment, and fittings required for the buildings.
The junior college is to be dedicated to conducting food processing and technology courses, according to the higher education ministry. The TVET centre would specialise in boat building courses but would also include vocational courses in some other fields as well. In addition, various other courses related to the vocational field will also be conducted at these institutes, according to the higher education ministry.
The institutes would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a boatyard, carpentry workshop, machine workshop, multi-purpose workshop, six classrooms, and an ICT laboratory. There will also be an administrative services area, a staff room, a student services area, an auditorium, meeting rooms, study rooms, and a library. In addition, both buildings will be equipped with a gymnasium with an activity centre for students.
The projects are part of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the government to develop higher education and training institutes in different parts of the country. The government is working to expand higher education and training opportunities in different parts of the country and to expand vocational education in the atolls.