The Maldives National University (MNU) has been officially allocated a building to establish an outreach campus in Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll, marking a significant milestone in the government's efforts to decentralise higher education opportunities.
The agreement was formalised at a special ceremony held at the MNU campus on Wednesday where it was signed by MNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Shehnaz Adam on behalf of the university, and a representative from the Ungoofaaru Island Council.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Shehnaz emphasised the transformative potential of the Ungoofaaru campus.
"With the establishment of an MNU outreach campus in Ungoofaaru, more opportunities will be provided for the people of all the islands in the Atoll to improve their education," she said.
She further acknowledged Ungoofaaru's academic prowess, noting that students of the island are achieving successes at national and international levels.
“I believe it is very important to provide such an opportunity to an academic society like Ungoofaaru. This will not only increase educational opportunities. It will also be a welcome boost to socio-economic opportunities,” she added.
Ungoofaaru Council President Abdulla Rasheed shared optimistic projections for the new campus, expressing hope that at least three courses will commence in the first semester of next year. These initial offerings are expected to include vital programmes such as nursing, teaching, and computer technician training courses, directly addressing critical skill gaps and professional development needs within the region, he added.
This project is a core component of the government's broader initiative to extend higher education accessibility across the island nation.
The MNU is actively engaged in bolstering the quality of higher education nationwide, forging agreements with various companies and international universities to foster diverse educational opportunities for both students and employees across the archipelago.