The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded the contract to construct a modern student dormitory, or Dhanaal, in Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, marking a key step in efforts to decentralise and strengthen higher education across the Maldives.
The agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary Aishath Hikma on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, while MTCC Deputy Managing Director Ahmed Shareef Abdul Rahman Yoosuf signed on behalf of the company.
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, who said the project, which had faced delays due to administrative and logistical challenges, is now progressing under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s policy of assigning major infrastructure projects to state-owned enterprises.
He noted that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to quality education and vocational training for young people across the country, regardless of their location.
The new dormitory will include 32 fully equipped rooms with en-suite bathrooms, along with shared facilities such as a kitchen, dining hall, laundry area, gym and recreational spaces, providing a comfortable and supportive environment for students.
The facility will serve the junior college in Dhidhdhoo, which is being developed as a vocational training hub offering programmes in hospitality, automotive technology, welding and engineering.
As part of the wider Dhanaal initiative, the project aims to strengthen local education opportunities, reduce the need for students to relocate to Malé and support regional human capital development.
The government is also progressing similar junior college projects across the Maldives, while upgrading campuses of the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), alongside the construction of additional student accommodation.
These efforts form part of a broader vision to bring higher education and job-ready skills closer to communities, enabling young people to access opportunities within their home islands.