The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) says its decision to extend the duration of part‑time PhD studies is aimed at protecting the quality of higher education, insisting that a doctoral degree cannot be pursued full‑time while holding a full‑time job.
In an announcement issued on the 26th of last month, the MQA noted that there is currently no specific national rule governing the duration or delivery of doctoral programs offered by local higher education institutions. However, the rules used to recognise foreign doctoral degrees do specify minimum standards.
Based on those standards, the MQA Advisory Board has now decided to apply the same criteria to PhD programs conducted in Maldives. Under the change, a full‑time PhD must take at least three years, while a part‑time PhD must take at least twice that duration. The agency stressed that it is “not appropriate” for an employee to pursue a PhD full‑time while working, and that working students must be enrolled part‑time.
The announcement drew criticism from many students, most of whom work full‑time while studying.
Speaking on a state media programme, MQA CEO Mariyam Fizaana Rasheed said the MNQF has clearly defined full‑time and part‑time study since 2016, and that part‑time studies have always been expected to take double the duration of full‑time programmes.
MQA: Approval granted to conduct online courses for Quran and related subjects. (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)
She said the confusion arose as higher education expanded in Maldives.
“Changing, changing, the whole thing has become confusing… Part‑time became going to work, then part‑time in the afternoon, 1800 to 2300, or 1600 to midnight. But that is not how it is defined in the MNQF,” she said.
Fizaana said concerns about poor‑quality degrees have been raised repeatedly, and that those who want to see the country improve should welcome the change. The goal, she said, is not to produce a large number of PhD holders, but to ensure that those who graduate meet proper academic standards.
She added that even in foreign countries, part‑time doctoral studies take longer, and that Maldives will introduce a regulation to formalise the new requirement.
Fizaana also criticised the culture of celebrating “superhuman multitasking” at graduations.
“At such ceremonies, it’s only that they don’t say thank you to the AI, thank you to ChatGPT, thank you to the people who do the assignments. They come out with these certificates by compromising quality,” she said.
Higher Education Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya (L) meets with Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA)'s CEO Mariyam Fizana Rasheed (R) on January 2, 2024. (Photo/Higher Education Ministry)
She noted that some institutions conduct examinations and award certificates before required contact hours are completed, and said the MQA is working to correct such practices. She added that although standards existed previously, they were never implemented
“There are things that have been given up on, and quality has been compromised because of that. What I am doing today is a huge challenge. I think I am probably coming up against the whole society to correct this,” she said.
Fizaana said the change will be implemented alongside measures to give students relief at their workplaces.
While the decision has drawn criticism, several long‑time educators have welcomed it. Concerns about incompetent degree holders, sudden spikes in PhD graduates, ghost‑written assignments, and the misuse of AI in coursework have been widely discussed in the Maldives. Many of these issues mirror global challenges that regulators worldwide are still struggling to address.