The Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) has issued a formal advisory urging students intending to pursue higher education abroad to verify the credibility of foreign institutions and academic programmes, cautioning that degrees from unrecognised bodies may be declared invalid.
At the core of the advisory is the requirement to secure a 'Recognition of the Intended Programme' document before departing for overseas study. This verification, the authority explained, certifies that the institution is recognised by the MQA and that the selected programme adheres to the Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF). According to the MQA, the process also establishes the institution's recognition by the competent authority in its home country and confirms the official registration of the academic programme within the institution's offerings.
Failure to obtain this recognition, the MQA warned, may result in the rejection of a student's qualifications, especially when the awarding institution does not appear on the authority's list of approved providers. It further clarified that no responsibility would be assumed for financial or academic losses incurred due to the invalidation of certificates from non-recognised institutions. To avoid such outcomes, students are strongly encouraged, the MQA noted, to complete the recognition procedure prior to commencing their studies. Those already enrolled abroad without this step should, it added, apply without delay.
The advisory also carried a more pointed warning regarding higher education institutions in Sri Lanka. Based on recent information, the MQA noted that certain entities registered with Sri Lanka's Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) have been suspended from operation. Specifically named were Metropolitan College and all campuses operated under the ESOFT brand. Students currently enrolled at these institutions were urged to notify the authority by email at [email protected], while prospective applicants were strongly advised not to pursue programmes offered by the affected centres.
This notice, the authority said, forms part of its broader mandate under the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development to uphold academic standards across Maldivian institutions and protect the long-term validity of the qualifications attained by its graduates.