Mastery of one’s mother tongue forms the cornerstone of acquiring additional languages, Minister of Higher Education, Labour, and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed said during a keynote address at the Maldives National University (MNU) graduation ceremony. He urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning and cautioned against allowing modern convenience to diminish the value of language and literature.
The ceremony marked the academic achievements of more than 140 students from MNU’s Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, and Faculty of Sharia and Law, all of whom completed their studies in the second term of 2024.
A strong command of one’s native language, Minister Haidar explained, provides the structural framework for acquiring fluency in foreign languages. He noted that proficiency in the mother tongue enhances a learner’s ability to discern the nuances and mechanics of additional languages, making mastery more intuitive. Academic research, he added, supports the view that individuals fluent in their primary language navigate second and third languages with greater ease.
Beyond linguistic expertise, Minister Haidar called on graduates to cultivate discipline and intellectual curiosity. He underscored the importance of respecting one’s profession, urging graduates to apply their knowledge with confidence and integrity. Truthfulness and trustworthiness, he said, should remain central tenets in both professional and personal conduct.
He encouraged graduates to take initiative, seize opportunities, and actively shape both their futures and the trajectory of national progress. Their education, he stressed, is not merely a personal asset but a responsibility that extends to the collective advancement of society.
Turning to the broader role of education, Minister Haidar warned against relegating language and literature to secondary importance. He called for a renewed commitment to linguistic heritage, advocating for educational institutions to foster environments that promote creativity and intellectual inquiry.
He concluded his address by stressing the need for rigorous academic standards across higher education institutions, underscoring the importance of accountability in shaping a generation equipped with knowledge and cultural literacy.