Maldives, Malaysia to deepen academic cooperation in higher education
Malé and Kuala Lumpur discuss expanding PhD programs and institutional partnerships to boost cross-border academic exchange
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives and Malaysia are seeking to strengthen academic collaboration, with a focus on doctoral programs and institutional partnerships, as part of efforts to expand higher education links between the two nations.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), at the President’s Office in Malé on Sunday to discuss new avenues of cooperation.
According to the Maldivian President’s Office, the talks centered on enhancing PhD-level research collaboration, academic exchanges, and joint capacity-building programs between Maldivian universities and IIUM — one of Southeast Asia’s leading centers for Islamic and multidisciplinary education.
President Muizzu expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s continued role in supporting Maldivian students studying abroad and underscored his government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for academic development within the Maldives.
Malaysia has long served as a key higher education destination for Maldivian students, particularly in the fields of Islamic studies, engineering, and social sciences. In recent years, both nations have sought to institutionalize these exchanges through memoranda of understanding and student mobility initiatives.
The meeting builds on Muizzu’s official visit to Malaysia in April 2024, during which IIUM awarded him an honorary doctorate in Islamic Leadership and Civil Development in recognition of his contributions to education and governance.
The two sides agreed to continue discussions on establishing long-term academic linkages, including joint supervision of doctoral candidates, research partnerships, and faculty development programs.
Officials described the talks as part of a broader diplomatic effort to align the Maldives’ education sector with international academic standards, strengthen ties with ASEAN institutions, and position the island nation as a future hub for South-South educational exchange.
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