The Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Maldives National University (MNU) have signed an agreement to develop a diploma course on the management of protected areas in the Maldives.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim on behalf of the Ministry, and by Vice Chancellor of MNU, Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam on behalf of the university.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Thoriq said that MNU has successfully conducted numerous important courses in the field of environment. He noted that many students have graduated from these courses in the past eight years and are now serving across the country. The development of the new Diploma in Protected Area Management course will be given high priority, he said.
The Minister highlighted that there are 93 protected areas in the Maldives, including three biosphere reserves, and that work is ongoing to establish three more biosphere reserves. He stressed the need for a trained workforce to protect and manage these areas. Without proper management, the true purpose of protecting these sites cannot be achieved, he said.
According to the Minister, the course will be designed within six months and introduced next year. He expressed hope that many students will enrol in the programme.
"Seventy-five percent of tourists visit the Maldives to experience its underwater environment and beautiful beaches. We are working to preserve these areas for future generations. If managed properly, this will strengthen the economy and further expand tourism,” the Minister added.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr Shehenaz said the agreement marks an important step towards strengthening the national efforts to protect the natural environment. She said the university’s College of Ocean Sciences is also developing a Level 4 Advanced Certificate course in Protected Area Management and Rangers Training. The programme will help rangers across the nation to become professionals by enhancing their skills, she said.
"This agreement is another significant step forward in this area. The course aims to provide specialised training in the protection, care and sustainable use of vulnerable and sensitive marine life. The course will begin in 2026. Both these programmes will help produce skilled and capable professionals who can support national priorities in the field of environment,” Dr Shehenaz said.
The course is being conducted under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) project, Conservation of Atoll Eco System through an Effectively Managed National Protected Area Estate (CATENATE). The logo of the CATENATE project was launched at the ceremony by Environment Minister Thoriq.
The CATENATE project is aimed at safeguarding nationally and globally significant coral reef biodiversity and associated ecosystems by establishing, governing, and sustaining a resilient network of equitably and effectively managed Protected Areas in the Maldives.