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Educational Outreach Activities Beyond Campus (2024)

In 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ significantly expanded its role beyond the campus walls, undertaking a diverse range of educational outreach activities in local schools and communities across various atolls. In 2024, over 75 educational outreach activities were conducted, strategically focused on three main thematic focus areas to maximize impact on regional education, social justice, and community well-being.

In 2024, over 75+ educational outreach activities

In 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ significantly expanded its role beyond the campus walls, undertaking a diverse range of educational outreach activities in local schools and communities across various atolls. These initiatives, which qualify for both ad-hoc and programmed categories, demonstrated the College's commitment to extending knowledge access, supporting local governance, and building community capacity, primarily aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships). The activities spanned multiple faculties and involved student-run schemes, ensuring the College's expertise directly addressed real-world needs. In 2024, over 75 educational outreach activities were conducted, strategically focused on three main thematic focus areas to maximize impact on regional education, social justice, and community well-being. These efforts were explicitly designed as dedicated outreach educational initiatives for the wider community. They ensured that knowledge and resources reached diverse segments of the population, including alumni, local residents, and vulnerable groups such as displaced or disadvantaged people through accessible services like free public lectures, health camps, and legal clinics.

1. Atoll-Based Educational Support and Local Governance:

ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ formalized and implemented several outreach programs to support education and development in specific islands and atolls.

Career Guidance and Skills Sessions: Multiple Career Guidance Sessions were conducted for students in local schools in various atolls, including , l and B. Atolls (Eydhafushi and Dharavandhoo School). These sessions provided essential advice on higher education pathways and career planning for secondary school students. This successful community engagement initiative brought tailored academic and career advice to nearly 500+ enthusiastic students from various schools in the atoll. The program, led by a dedicated team of senior lecturers and managers, focused on equipping students with essential study techniques and knowledge to make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.

Local Council Partnerships (MoUs): The College signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with local governing bodies, including the and the Hoarafushi Council. These MoUs establish frameworks for providing higher education, training, and tailored educational programs directly to the youth and communities of those specific islands, ensuring regional access to quality learning. A core principle of this approach is that educational outreach activities are conducted in direct collaboration with the local councils and community stakeholders to ensure relevance and effectiveness. For instance, the MoU signed with the Naifaru Council (2024-01-22) explicitly outlines a collaborative effort to establish a vocational training center in Naifaru. This initiative is a programmed activity designed to address the growing demand for skilled professionals by providing quality vocational training programs tailored to the needs of the local community, demonstrating a shared commitment to local socio-economic growth.

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Community Education Sessions: Collaborative sessions were held in various communities, such as the "Tharubiyyathu" session in Ha. Kelaa, which focused on essential community support themes like parenting, blending legal and psychological insights. As part of the campaign, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ successfully conducted a session focused on "Tharubiyyathu" (Parenting and Nurturing) in Ha. Vashafaru on October 18th. Participants received invaluable insights on effective parenting from Uza. Aishath Khaleela, equipping community members with the necessary knowledge and tools to confidently nurture and support their families.

The Foundation in Teaching - May 2024 intake students began a week-long exposure trip across Maldivian schools from July 8th to 14th. This initiative, which marks the second such trip for the program, is designed to give future teachers direct insight into inclusive and holistic teaching practices currently implemented. The core aim is to guide learners on applying policies and procedures for effective curriculum delivery, skill development, and outcome assessment in real-world educational environments.

On September 1, 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ extended its expertise to the community by facilitating an awareness session on The highly relevant session was led by Fathimath Saeed, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies, providing parents with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the often challenging, yet crucial, aspects of raising children.

The Institute for Research and Innovation at ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ was awarded a major contract by the Ministry of Education to provide Training of Trainers (TOT) in Secondary Science and Math. Implemented under the World Bank-funded Atoll Education Development Project (AEDP), this 6-month initiative aims to significantly enhance Math and Science teaching and learning across Maldivian secondary schools. The project will achieve this by designing a comprehensive resource package and delivering specialized training to targeted secondary school teachers. ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ and the Maafushi Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 14, 2024, to significantly enhance higher education and training opportunities for the island's youth. This agreement formalizes a commitment where the Council will provide scholarships to Maafushi students to attend ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ. In return, the College will offer technical assistance and professional skills training to the Council's employees, solidifying a progressive partnership aimed at boosting local human capital.

On April 26, 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ successfully hosted an introductory . The engaging session was led by esteemed lecturer Gan Zihong from the Chinese Language Center, offering students a wonderful, accessible taste of the rich Chinese language and culture. Through enthusiastic instruction, students actively participated in pronunciation drills and vocabulary exercises, making the initial learning experience both enjoyable and effective.

2. Targeted Community Health and Justice Services

The College mobilized its health and law expertise to deliver free, vital services directly to vulnerable community members outside the campus.

Legal Aid Camps (Themed Campaigns): The Faculty of Shariah and Law (FSL) conducted focused, off-campus Legal . These included a camp providing legal aid for Migrant Workers (in collaboration with Transparency Maldives) and camps dedicated to supporting victims of Domestic Violence, moving legal assistance from the campus to the affected communities. The Faculty of Shariah & Law at ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ, in collaboration with the ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ Law Society, hosted a highly impactful legal aid camp at the Ministry of Education Fair in Hulhumalé. This crucial outreach provided 25 migrant consultations and addressed a domestic violence case, offering free attestation, court form filling, and agreement consultations to various community members. The initiative successfully reinforced ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ's commitment to promoting legal awareness and ensuring that vital legal support is accessible, particularly to migrants and domestic violence survivors.

Health Outreach and Screening: The College actively participated in health-focused community events, such as the Migrants Fair on International Migrants Day at Hulhumale Ruhgandu, where they provided health support and services to 70 participants in partnership with the Mission for Migrant Workers. As part of their Community Health Nursing module, Diploma in Nursing students from the Faculty of Health Sciences undertook a During this visit, students actively collected crucial data from households, focusing on general observations, nutritional assessments, sanitation, and potential health hazards. This hands-on experience allows future nurses to gain vital information and implement practical skills in a real-world community setting. ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ, in robust collaboration with Auburn University and the Villa Foundation, successfully conducted a spanning the islands of K. Huraa, Thulusdhoo, and Himmafushi. This community-focused initiative provided participants with essential preventative health services, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose monitoring, alongside BMI assessments. The programme was facilitated by a dedicated team of students and lecturers from both ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµâ€™s Faculty of Health Sciences and Auburn University, offering vital health education on nutrition, lifestyle modification, and disease prevention to local residents.

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3. Industry and Environmental Engagement

Outreach in this category was specifically designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, providing students with real-world industry exposure and promoting vital environmental awareness in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Industrial Exposure Trips: Students from the to Thilafushi (the main industrial area). This direct visit allowed students to gain practical insights into industrial operations, waste management processes, and logistical challenges, connecting academic learning with real-world work environments crucial for career planning.

Specialized Career Pathways: Beyond general guidance, the College hosted events aimed at high-technology sectors, such as the . This collaboration with the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO) opened new, future-focused career avenues for students.

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Professional Skill Partnerships (Programmed): The MoU signed with Fenaka Corporation Limited (a major state-owned enterprise) signifies a commitment to future programmed outreach. This partnership will provide Fenaka employees with training in project management and procurement, and offer students internships and placement opportunities, ensuring College curricula remain relevant to industry needs.

ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ Laamu Gan Campus (VCLGC) successfully conducted an intensive, 10-hour Proposal Writing Workshop for 36 participants from various NGOs in L. Atoll, in collaboration with the L. Atoll Council. Facilitated by Campus Manager Ahmed Zahir, the workshop equipped local organizations with crucial fundraising skills, which were immediately tested in dynamic pitch presentations evaluated by esteemed station managers from BML, Dhiraagu, and Ooredoo. Beyond the training, VCLGC reinforced its commitment by distributing information and flyers on its programs to ensure the NGOs could utilize the College's resources for future initiatives in their respective islands.

In 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ successfully executed a robust and multi-faceted outreach strategy, delivering a total of 75+ off-campus activities that comprehensively met the requirements for both ad-hoc and programmed engagement. By establishing three core thematic focus areas—Regional Educational Access, Specialized Health and Justice Services, and Industry/Environmental Exposure—the College moved beyond basic informational sessions to become a proactive partner in community development and capacity building. This systemic approach, evidenced by programmed initiatives like the Ministry of Education's national Training of Trainers contract and multiple MoUs with Atoll Councils, ensures the College's academic resources are directly leveraged to strengthen educational infrastructure and professional skills across the Maldives, effectively extending the institution's reach and impact throughout the nation.

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ÃÜÌÒÊÓÆµ began its historic journey on the 28th of January 2007, with the registration of its first institute, Villa Institute of Water Sports followed by the Villa Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) and Villa Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
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