Several parliamentarians have highlighted the importance of the higher education bill submitted to the Parliament of Maldives, noting the bill is essential for the creation of an educated and capable generations in the country.
The bill was submitted to the parliament on behalf of the administration by Parliamentarian Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq. The bill was deliberated upon during the parliament sitting today. Several members expressed the importance of the bill, which aims to raise the standard of higher education in Maldives.
Speaking on the bill, Shafeeq noted the bill aims to develop and raise the standards of the higher education sector through important measures such as registration of higher education centres, establishment of an institution to oversee the quality of education provided by these centres and formulation of policies to establish an effective system to coordinate higher education and training in Maldives.
The deliberations on the bill was mainly partaken by parliamentarians representing the administration. They highlighted the bill is essential for the development of educated and capable generations in Maldives, noting the many challenges faced by the higher education sector have been addressed in the bill.
The bill states a new authority will be formed under the name of MQA to oversee accreditation, academic audits, institutional audits and verification of the standard of qualifications issued by higher education centres in Maldives. The current scope of work carried out by MQA will be transferred to the new authority, along with its staff.
Once the bill becomes an act, institutes and campuses of international colleges must also follow the laws stated under the act.