The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has warned that it will not recognise certificates issued by online programs being conducted without proper approval.
In an announcement issued Tuesday, the authority said it has received reports that some training centres are running online programs in violation of the National Competency Standards. MQA stressed that it has not approved any online delivery for programs under these standards.
As a result, the authority said it will not accept certificates from any online program that has not been authorised by the National Competency Standards Authority.
Under the Higher Education and Training Act, MQA is responsible for monitoring the quality of higher education institutions, ensuring programs meet national standards, and overseeing accreditation and auditing processes.
MQA noted that operating programs and issuing certificates without its approval has been a recurring problem. In previous cases, centres conducted programs without undergoing mandatory audits, and students were issued certificates that the authority later rejected. Notices were recently sent to three centres instructing them to halt such programs.
The authority also highlighted the ongoing issue of fake certificates, saying the problem has escalated to the point where employers now frequently request verification of staff qualifications.
MQA said it has also identified cases where centres run mobile programs in rural areas using previously approved program names, despite lacking the required permissions and audits. Certificates submitted from such programs will not be accepted.
Earlier, the authority decided not to accept certificates from 101 higher education and training centres that failed to re‑register as required.