The Maldives National University (MNU) has signed an agreement with the Occupational Therapy Association of Maldives (OTAM) to launch degree programmes aimed at training occupational therapists. This partnership was formalised on Monday.
The agreement was signed by MNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam and OTAM Chairperson Aminath Thooha Adhlee. The new degree programme is set to commence next year, according to MNU, and will be a four-year-long initiative designed to address the shortage of qualified occupational therapists in the country.
Dr Aishath Shanoora, Dean of MNU's Faculty of Health Sciences, highlighted the current scarcity of occupational therapists in the Maldives. There are very few individuals currently working in the field in the country as occupational therapists, she said, noting that the national university will prioritise training technical experts in such fields.
The programme, developed with the assistance of technical experts and international universities, is benchmarked and formulated to the standards of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy. It will be the first programme carried out by the Health Science Faculty that is approved by international standards, Dr. Shanoora added.
The programme has received approval from the Allied Health Council, the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, and the Maldives Qualification Authority. Dr Shanoora underscored the benefits of this approval, stating, "This program will help build a strong relationship with the industry and increase awareness about the employment market."
OTAM Chairperson Adhlee expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. "The aim of commencing a degree programme in occupational therapy with MNU is to successfully help increase the number of occupational therapists," she said. "Our hope is that the occupational therapy profession grows in the country and that more Maldivian students join it."
MNU is preparing to launch the new programme during the second semester of 2025. Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping individuals achieve independence and improve their quality of life through therapeutic interventions, skill development, and environmental modifications. They work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing facilities, and schools, to enhance daily living and work skills, consult on workplace ergonomics, and provide education and training to patients, families, and caregivers.