The Maldives National University (MNU) has awarded funding to 11 research projects under the National Research Fund: Emerging Research Grants (NRF-ERG) Call 1, supporting studies in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and healthcare to law, cybersecurity, education technology and cultural preservation.
The grants were presented during a ceremony by Ahmed Shafeeu, Minister of State for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development. The NRF-ERG programme, introduced in 2025, aims to promote high-quality research across diverse disciplines while contributing to evidence-based solutions for national challenges. The initiative is supported by the National Research Council under the Education, Higher Education and Skills Development.
According to MNU, the programme received a strong response from researchers across the university, reflecting growing interest and engagement in research activities within the institution. Following a rigorous and highly competitive evaluation process, 16 proposals were identified as highly meritorious. As the programme's funding allocation was capped atUSD 97,024.58 the proposals underwent a second round of evaluation and ranking.
Based on the results of that process, the 11 highest-ranked proposals were selected for funding, utilising the full grant allocation available under the programme. The funded projects cover a broad range of disciplines, including artificial intelligence, education technology, law and policy reform, healthcare, cybersecurity, environmental studies, cultural preservation and social research.
Among the projects selected was “AEGIS-M: An Edge-AI System for Automated Drowning Detection and Harbor Security”, led by principal investigator Mariyam Humra, with co-investigators Dr Ahmed Zahir and Dr Ubaidhullah Abdul Hameed. Another funded project, “Revisiting Family Law in the Maldives: Gender Equality, Access to Justice, and Pathways for Reform”, is headed by Dr Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer with co-investigator Dr Marium Jabyn.
The programme also awarded funding to “Smart Farming in the Maldives: An AI-Based Approach to Strengthen Agricultural Productivity and Economic Diversification”, led by Ibrahim Adam with co-investigators Ibrahim Hassaan and Dr Nadhiya Abdulla. “Automated Moodle Course Quality Monitoring and Learning Analytics Plugin for MQA-Aligned e-Learning Governance” will be undertaken by principal investigator Roza Ibrahim alongside co-investigators Dr Ali Fawaz Shareef, Dr Raheema Abdul Raheem, Ibrahim Adam, Hassan Malaz and Mariyam Fizaana Rashyd.
Healthcare and public policy research featured prominently among the funded projects. “A Baseline Study on the Initial Implementation of the Generational Tobacco Ban in the Maldives” is led by Dr Asiya Ibrahim with a team comprising Dr Aishath Shanoora, Dr Fathimath Shafeega, Dr Aminath Shiyama and Fathimath Najudha. Another health-focused project, “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tuberculosis Screening and Diagnosis Among the Working-Age Population in the Greater Malé Area, Maldives: A Cross-Sectional Study”, is headed by Dr Mohamed Sam-aan Hussain and supported by co-investigators Dr Shazla Mohamed, Dr Aishath Shaheen Ismail, Dr Asma Ibrahim Sulaiman, Mohamed Zaid, Dr Aishath Niyaf and others.
Cultural preservation is represented through the project “Collecting, Documenting, Analyzing and Digitizing Maldivian Folklore”, led by Azeeza Afeef with co-investigators Dr Maryam Mariya and Aaidha Hammadh.
The funded projects also include “Assessing Cyber Resilience Maturity in the Maldivian Financial Sector: Risks, Readiness, and Policy Responses”, led by Mohamed Shamoon and a multidisciplinary research team; “Analysis of Household Electricity Consumption for Cooling in Malé Region”, led by Aminath Shazly; and “Public Perception Towards the Integrity of Maldives Police Service”, led by Dr Shuaib Rasheed.
The final project selected for funding is “Dhivehi Reference Manager with Parallel English Styles and Word/Browser Integration”, led by Ahmed Hashim with co-investigator Ibrahim Adam.
MNU said the NRF-ERG Call 1 programme is expected to further strengthen research capacity, promote innovation and foster knowledge exchange among academic and administrative staff, reinforcing the university’s position as a leading institution for research and evidence-based contributions to national development.