The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has issued a critical advisory, urging Maldivian students considering higher education in Sri Lanka to exercise caution and verify study programmes before enrollment.
The warning comes amidst concerns over certain Sri Lankan institutions operating outside permitted standards, potentially jeopardising students' academic recognition.
In a statement, the MQA highlighted that it has observed some centres in Sri Lanka conducting programmes that do not adhere to the standards permitted by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC).
The authority noted instances of institutions offering tertiary programmes above Higher Diploma level in collaboration with foreign institutions, in direct violation of established regulatory frameworks.
Crucially, the MQA declared that it will no longer accept certificates issued for programmes conducted by these non-compliant institutions. To safeguard their academic future, prospective students are now mandated to obtain an "intended" document from the MQA prior to commencing any studies in Sri Lanka – a critical step to ensure programme validity and future recognition in the Maldives.
The MQA's advisory also clarified the regulatory landscape in Sri Lanka, noting that the TVEC is responsible for approving tertiary programmes below Higher Diploma while post-degree programmes fall under the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education.
The authority affirmed its commitment to recognising programmes that meet the entry criteria for admission to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), provided they are offered by higher education institutions formally approved by the relevant Sri Lankan authorities.
MQA urged Maldivian students to rigorously verify that any prospective institution and its programmes align with the criteria outlined in the Maldives Qualifications Regulations and are officially recognised by the authority before making any financial or academic commitments to study in Sri Lanka.