Dr Aminath Zahir awarded first-ever Dhivehi Language PhD
Dr Aminath Zahir’s doctorate, written entirely in Maldives’ native tongue, marks a milestone for women, language, and cultural preservation
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — In a milestone for the Indian Ocean archipelago’s cultural and academic history, Dr Aminath Zahir has become the first person to earn a doctorate in the Dhivehi language, the national tongue of the Maldives.
Her PhD in Applied Linguistics, completed at the Maldives National University (MNU), was not only researched but also written entirely in Dhivehi — a first for the country’s higher-education system. The university awarded her the degree at its recent convocation ceremony, making Dr Zahir the Maldives’ most qualified Dhivehi scholar.
President Mohamed Muizzu met Dr Zahir this week to congratulate her achievement, calling it “a great step forward in promoting and preserving the national language.” During the meeting, attended by cabinet officials and university leaders, he said language preservation remains a central goal of his administration.
Dr Zahir, who began her doctoral research in 2019, presented a copy of her thesis to the president. The study proposes new strategies to strengthen Dhivehi instruction and literacy in schools and to expand linguistic research within the island nation.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Zahir expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying she was honoured that her work symbolized the value of Dhivehi in national identity. Her thesis has been placed in the MNU library as a reference for future scholars.
Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim described the achievement as “a turning point for our cultural heritage,” noting that research in local languages is essential to safeguard national consciousness in a globalized world.
MNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz added that the milestone brings pride not only to the university but to the Maldives as a whole.
The president also presented Dr Zahir with a commemorative plaque during the Republic Day ceremony, underscoring the symbolic weight of her work at a time when smaller nations struggle to protect indigenous languages from global linguistic homogenization.
For many Maldivians, Dr Zahir’s accomplishment represents more than academic excellence. It affirms that women scholars can lead efforts to protect cultural identity and that the country’s mother tongue — spoken by just over half a million people — can thrive in the highest levels of scholarship.
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