By Office of International Affairs, Office of Development and External Affairs
20 May 2026: A delegation from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), led by President Prof. Pai-Chi Li, visited the Maldives from 16 to 19 May 2026. The delegation included Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director of AIT Extension; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) and Office of Development and External Affairs (ODEA); and Ms. Chotiros Mongkolchotirat, Director of the Office of the President. The primary objective of the visit was to explore and strengthen educational collaboration and capacity building with local government and academic institutions.
During the visit, AIT and the Civil Service Council (CSC) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which outlines a collaborative framework for future initiatives. The MoU, signed by Prof. Pai-Chi Li and CSC President Uz. Mohamed Mujithaz, focuses on several key areas, including training of trainers and professional certification programs, exchange programs for staff and experts, joint research initiatives relevant to Maldivian contexts, development of funding proposals for collaborative projects and meetings with Key Educational Stakeholders.
The delegation also engaged in several productive meetings with key Maldivian education sector stakeholders:
Meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdulla Nazeer, Minister of State, Ministry of Higher Education, Labor and Skills Development
This courtesy meeting emphasized AIT’s commitment to enhancing higher education in the Maldives, covering potential long-term degree programs and short-term training initiatives for local educators. The conversation also explored pathways for students from Maldives Polytechnic to transition to further studies.
Discussion with Ms. Zooshan Kamaludeen, CEO of Maldives Polytechnic
The delegation discussed opportunities for capacity-building training programs aimed support staff development, as well as diploma courses designed to improve student skills and enhance employability.
Engagement with Maldives National University (MNU)
Meetings with Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, and Mr. Abdul Rahman Mubaarique, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance and the Deans, focused on the establishment of master’s and doctoral programs for lecturers and researchers, implementation of international unified bachelor-master degree programs, opportunities for student and faculty exchanges and support for establishing master’s degree programs in areas such as island agriculture and other fields of mutual interest.
Photo Credit: Maldives National University
The AIT delegation’s visit laid a strong foundation for future collaborations to reinforce educational ties and create opportunities for knowledge exchange between AIT and Maldivian institutions. Both parties expressed enthusiasm for embarking on collaborative initiatives designed to uplift the standards of education and training in the Maldives, signifying a positive step forward in international educational cooperation.
As AIT continues to expand its global partnerships, the outcomes from this visit are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities in the Maldives, ultimately contributing to the nation’s development goals.
