The practical work for the development of the Maldives National University (MNU) campus commences of Eydhafushi, Baa Atoll.
The practical work was officially initiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar.
The work is contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). The officially handover was held during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s community outreach to Eydhafushi last year.
The initiative is part of the government’s effort to strengthen the nation’s higher education sector and undertaken through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
As part of this project, a two-storey accommodation block is slated for construction encompassing 6000sqft. Furthermore, a 3200sqft two-storey staff accommodation and a 3000sqft two-storey administrative block. In addition to these developments, a two-storey classroom block encompassing 4,000sqft, and a two-storey academic facility block is also planned for construction. The project is valued at USD 5.23 million with a duration of 720 days for completion.
Eydhafushi is the administrative capital of the atoll with a population of 3,500 residents. The island is noted to have a high percentage of academically proficient youth. In terms of employment, the island is noted to have a large employment base in government offices and hospitality via the nearby resorts. As such, having an MNU campus on the island is expected to have a positive impact on the atoll.
The government has initiated a nationwide endeavor of developing MNU campuses and Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) campuses in various atolls, as part of the aforementioned effort to strengthen the country’s higher education sector.