Applications are now open for a scholarship programme funded by the Chinese government, providing 39 fully funded postgraduate opportunities for Maldivian public sector employees, the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development announced. The initiative aims to support academic and professional development, with 14 doctoral and 25 master's degree scholarships available.
The scholarships, funded entirely by the Chinese government, provide comprehensive financial support. Tuition, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend, a resettlement allowance, medical insurance, and round-trip airfare are included, according to the ministry. Awardees will have the opportunity to specialise in various academic disciplines, it added.
Candidates must be employed within the Maldivian public sector and demonstrate a minimum of three years' relevant work experience. Applicants must also be under the age of 45 by September 2025 and meet any additional requirements set by their chosen university.
The ministry stated that applications must be submitted via the ministry's online portal, myedu.egov.mv, no later than 2 p.m. on 15 May. Comprehensive details regarding submission requirements are available on the ministry's website and have been officially recorded in the government gazette.
The ministry has also announced how existing student loans affect eligibility. Individuals who have secured a student loan and remain in good standing with repayments are permitted to apply, as are those selected for a student loan scheme who have not yet signed a formal agreement. However, candidates who receive a scholarship under this programme must forfeit any student loan opportunity. Those already nominated for a separate scholarship programme are likewise ineligible for consideration.