In a significant stride towards decentralising higher education, the government officially broke ground on the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Center in Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll.
The project, a cornerstone of the government's broader educational strategy, signals a major investment in building a skilled workforce for the nation's future.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development is spearheading the initiative, which will see a modern two-story facility constructed on a 17,500 square foot plot. The centre is designed to be a comprehensive hub for practical learning, featuring a multi-purpose workshop, state-of-the-art ICT laboratories, and specialised classrooms. It will also include administrative offices, a library, study rooms, and dedicated student service areas, creating a holistic environment for education.
This development is a key component of a larger project to establish TVET centers across the country, with similar centres underway in Dhidhdhoo (Haa Alifu Atoll), Alifushi (Raa Atoll), Velidhoo (Noonu Atoll), Kulhudhuffushi City, and Fuvahmulah City.
The contract for the Funadhoo centre has been awarded to Central Line Pvt Ltd, with completion expected within one year.
In a development that will further cement Funadhoo's status as an educational hub for the northern atolls, the island is also slated to host a campus of the Maldives National University (MNU), an Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) campus, and a student accommodation block. This cluster of institutions aims to provide diverse and accessible higher education and training opportunities, fulfilling a key presidential pledge to expand these services to all regions of the Maldives.
The development of these centers is widely seen as a critical effort to equip the local population with the practical skills needed to drive various industrial sectors, fostering local expertise and reducing the reliance on foreign labour.