The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development has announced a major scholarship initiative aimed at strengthening Maldives’ capacity in therapeutic and rehabilitation services, offering 250 fully funded study opportunities locally and abroad.
The programme includes 120 scholarships for bachelor’s degrees and 20 for master’s degrees within the Maldives, alongside 30 bachelor’s and 80 master’s degree opportunities overseas.
Speech therapy is the prioritised field, with 90 total slots available—30 each for bachelor’s and master’s programs locally and abroad. Other key disciplines include psychology (30 bachelor’s and 20 master’s), counseling and behaviour therapy (30 bachelor’s), occupational therapy (30 bachelor’s and 30 master’s), and behaviour analysis (20 master’s).
Applications will close on 20 April at 1:30 pm, with full terms and conditions published in the official government gazette. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to expand access to mental health and therapy services nationwide, particularly in underserved areas.
Currently, over 220 children receive regular therapeutic support through the National Special Protection Agency (NSPA), and more than 70,000 individuals have accessed specialised mental health treatment in the past three years.
With most services currently delivered by foreign-trained professionals, the government aims to cultivate a robust local workforce capable of delivering high-quality, accessible care across all atolls.