70+ Vocational Training Events in AY2024 | 1400+ Participant’s overall in all the training events | 55% Increase in the participants rate
Ƶ achieved a substantial leap in its contribution to Goal 4 during 2024, demonstrating a powerful acceleration in the provision of non-credit bearing vocational and lifelong learning opportunities for those who not attending the university regular courses. The College significantly expanded the breadth, frequency, and reach of this training portfolio compared to 2023. This growth is quantifiable: the total number of documented events increased dramatically from 27 in 2023 to more than 70 in 2024, representing a surge of well over 150% in activity. Concurrently, participant engagement grew significantly, with the number of individuals benefiting from these initiatives rising from approximately 950 in 2023 to over 1,400 in 2024 (55% increase). This increase underscored the growing demand for and the relevance of the College's offerings.
By engaging over 1,400 participants through its activities, the College effectively delivered a diverse range of structured training activities delivered by multiple faculties, centres, and institutes. Programmes in 2024 ranged from short-term skills workshops to internationally aligned certifications, ensuring both immediate workplace applicability and support for long-term career development across various sectors. The vocational and lifelong learning programme delivery extending across eight distinct units: the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI), Chinese Language Centre, Centre for Foundation Studies, Faculty of Shariah and Law, Faculty of Educational Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health Sciences and Qasim Ibrahim School of Business. This broader organisational participation not only diversified the training themes but also underscored an institutional shift toward embedding lifelong learning as a strategic priority across faculties and centres.
The 2024 calendar featured a broad thematic range, including both technical and soft skills relevant to national development and employability:
Technical Skills: Project Management, MS Excel (Basic to Advanced), SPSS, Cybersecurity, Photography, Procurement, and Marketing Communications.
Language and Communication: Business Chinese, Travel Chinese, Introduction to Chinese, Dhivehi Office Writing, and Public Speaking (in Dhivehi).
Soft Skills and Workplace Competencies: Emotional Intelligence at Work, Customer Service Excellence, Business Writing, and Developing Leadership Skills. Legal, Psychological, and Mental Health Training: EEG Workshop, First Aid, and the RISEN Peer Support Programme.
AY 2024 was notably more diverse, while hospitality, law, and psychosocial training remained core areas, there was a marked rise in technical and professional development courses. Corporate Training Division of Ƶ alone delivered over 40 corporate and public training programmes, including high-demand recurring sessions in Project Management, Advanced Excel, Training of Trainers, and Office Dhivehi, alongside specialised workshops on Cybersecurity, AutoCAD, Emotional Intelligence, Public Speaking, and Procurement Strategies. The Cybersecurity training for STELCO, which drew 61 participants, recorded the highest single-session attendance of the year, highlighting both the relevance and appeal of digital skills training in the Maldivian workplace.
Language education also expanded significantly. The Chinese Language Centre delivered 17 courses to a mixed audience of public learners, school students, and professionals from organisations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives Immigration, and Villa International High School. Its elective language programme at VIHS culminated in a landmark exposure trip to Chengdu and Xi’an, organised in collaboration with Chang’an University, providing students with immersive linguistic and cultural experiences. Equally noteworthy was the completion of a Chinese language course for 19 immigration officers, celebrated with a public closing ceremony attended by senior Maldivian and Chinese dignitaries, underscoring the programme’s diplomatic and practical value.
The Discover Hospitality Programme remained a flagship initiative in 2024, welcoming its sixth cohort and graduating its fifth. A total of 179 participants benefited from this fully sponsored Certificate Level 3 training, combining classroom learning with practical placements at Universal Foundation’s resorts. The programme maintained its strong completion rate and continued to feed a sustainable talent pipeline into the tourism sector.
New creative and technical skills training also emerged during the year. The Centre for Foundation Studies organised a Basic Photography Training Programme for the STO Recreation Club, delivered by renowned photographer Ahmed Kiram. The 19-hour course combined theoretical instruction with hands-on practice, concluding with a formal certificate ceremony attended by leaders from both STO and Ƶ. Mental health-focused capacity building was sustained through the RISEN Peer Empowerment Programme, which trained 25 Bachelor of Psychology students to act as first-line peer supporters, embedding wellbeing and emotional intelligence within the student community.
One notable area of expansion was in health-focused vocational training, led by the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 2023, health-related training was limited primarily to a small number of community and clinical postings. In 2024, this portfolio broadened to include extensive clinical placements, international externships, industry postings, and specialist skills workshops such as Basic First Aid, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) training, and Quantitative EEG for neuro-assessment. These activities collectively engaged over 350 nursing, pharmacy, and public health professionals, along with Ƶ staff, ensuring both workforce readiness and alignment with national health priorities.
Programmed Events: 95% of the sessions were programmed, running on set schedules with defined curricula.
Ad-hoc Events: A smaller number of ad-hoc offerings were developed in response to specific sectoral needs or external partnerships.
Inclusion and Reach: Events were conducted across multiple campuses and venues and were accessible to participants from a variety of backgrounds, including unemployed youth, school leavers, working professionals, and civil servants.
The Discover Hospitality Programme, a flagship vocational training initiative jointly delivered by Ƶ and the Universal Foundation, continued to flourish in 2024 as a model for inclusive education and workforce development in the Maldives. Firmly aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, the programme serves as a vital stepping stone for young Maldivians aspiring to join the country’s dynamic tourism and hospitality sector. This fully sponsored Certificate Level 3 programme targets unemployed youth aged 17 and above, offering a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on industry exposure. Participants engage in structured coursework on customer service excellence, event operations, guest relations, and sustainable tourism practices.
All training is mapped to National Competency Standards, ensuring graduates acquire both relevant knowledge and practical capabilities required by the industry. A defining feature of the programme is its immersive on-the-job training component, where learners undertake internships at various Universal Resorts. These placements enable participants to apply classroom learning in real-world hospitality environments, enhancing their industry readiness and employability. To reduce financial barriers, each participant receives a monthly stipend of MVR 3,000, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to equitable access.
In 2024, the programme marked several key milestones:
Welcomed the 6th batch of 20 new participants,
Celebrated the graduation of the 5th batch, comprising 27 individuals,
Reached a cumulative total of 130 alumni since inception,
Supported a total of 179 participants throughout the partnership, reflecting strong growth in both demand and institutional capacity.
Despite its expansion, the programme has consistently maintained a completion rate exceeding 80%. Many graduates have transitioned into employment in resort operations, guest services, and related areas, actively contributing to the development of a skilled, local workforce in one of the Maldives’ most vital economic sectors. Through this initiative, Ƶ reaffirms its commitment to lifelong learning, industry-integrated vocational education, and social mobility—equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and pathways to succeed in the tourism industry and beyond.
The RISEN Peer Empowerment Programme, a vocational training initiative under the Faculty of Educational Studies at Ƶ, continued into 2024 as a key component of the College’s efforts to enhance student wellbeing, promote mental health awareness, and foster a supportive learning environment. Building on the success of its 2023 launch, the 2024 edition of RISEN was conducted as a programmed training activity aimed at equipping students with the practical skills and foundational knowledge needed to offer peer-to-peer psychosocial support. The training focused on early identification of mental health challenges, empathetic listening, ethical boundaries in peer support, effective communication techniques, and the appropriate circumstances for referring peers to professional mental health services.
In 2024, the programme was delivered to a new cohort of 25 Bachelor of Psychology students, who were trained to act as first-line responders within the campus community. By empowering students with these skills, Ƶ continues to build a peer-driven mental health support framework that enhances resilience, strengthens the student support ecosystem, and encourages a culture of openness and help-seeking behaviour. The RISEN programme aligns with the College’s broader mission to support SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) by integrating psychosocial competence as part of holistic student development. This initiative not only enhances the emotional intelligence and employability of psychology students but also contributes meaningfully to creating a safer, more inclusive, and mentally healthy academic environment.
In 2024, the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at Ƶ made a substantial contribution to the institution’s vocational training and lifelong learning portfolio, offering a diverse set of skill-building initiatives that combined theoretical learning with hands-on, real-world application. A highlight of the year was the Basic First Aid Training, delivered from 28 to 30 September 2024. Responding to urgent global health priorities, FHS also delivered a large-scale Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Training on 24 November 2024 for 110 nursing and public health professionals. This session provided both theoretical understanding and practical measures for combating AMR in clinical environments, ensuring that graduates are equipped to address this escalating healthcare challenge. Through these initiatives, the Faculty of Health Sciences not only enhanced the technical competencies of future healthcare professionals but also contributed to strengthening the national health workforce. The blend of on-campus instruction, community engagement, industry immersion, and international exposure exemplifies Ƶ’s integrated approach to vocational education—linking academic programmes with real-world practice to produce graduates who are both workforce-ready and globally aware.
Chinese Language Training at Ƶ, delivered through the Chinese Language Centre, continued to grow in 2024 as a key component of the institution’s commitment to promoting multilingual proficiency and cross-cultural competencies in the Maldives. The Centre’s initiatives directly support SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by expanding access to non-formal language education that enhances both personal and professional opportunities. In 2024, the Centre conducted a total of 17 structured, non-credit-bearing language courses, designed to cater to a diverse range of learners—including public participants, school students, and professionals from government and private sector organizations. These courses were offered across multiple levels and formats, including: HSK Level 1 & 2: Introductory and basic proficiency training in Mandarin Chinese aligned with the Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (HSK) international standard; Business Chinese & Travel Chinese: Purpose-driven modules tailored for professionals seeking workplace fluency or basic communication skills for international travel and tourism contexts.
As part of Ƶ’s expanding commitment to multilingual education and cultural exchange, the Chinese Language Centre continued to deliver elective Chinese language courses to students at Villa International High School (VIHS) throughout 2024. These non-credit-bearing, vocational-style electives are designed to equip secondary-level students with foundational skills in Mandarin Chinese, while also fostering intercultural understanding and global citizenship—closely aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Global Partnerships). In a major milestone for the programme, the 10 students enrolled in the VIHS Chinese Language Elective departed in late 2024 on a cultural and language exposure trip to China, organized jointly by the Chinese Language Centre and Chang'an University. In 2024, the Chinese Language Centre at Ƶ successfully conducted a specialised Chinese language training course for officers of Maldives Immigration. This programme reflected national efforts to enhance language capacity within key frontline public service institutions and is aligned with Ƶ’s strategic contributions to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The Chinese Language Centre at Ƶ remains committed to providing high-quality, demand-driven language training to support public sector excellence and strengthen the Maldives’ readiness for international engagement. Similar programmes continue to be offered to government agencies and the general public, reinforcing the Centre’s role as a national hub for vocational language education. In total, over 100 learners participated in Chinese Language Centre courses in 2024, contributing to a growing pool of Chinese-speaking professionals and students in the Maldives. By delivering practical, culturally immersive training, the Centre plays a pivotal role in strengthening international cooperation, fostering cultural understanding, and enhancing the linguistic readiness of the Maldivian workforce for global engagement.
In 2024, the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) at Ƶ played a leading role in advancing vocational and professional skills development across the Maldives by designing and delivering a wide portfolio of high-impact corporate training programmes. Demonstrating its commitment to lifelong learning and workforce empowerment, IRI conducted over 40 structured training sessions throughout the year, targeting both the public and private sectors, as well as individual learners from diverse professional backgrounds. The training calendar featured a combination of recurring core modules and specialised, client-driven courses, tailored to institutional needs and national capacity-building priorities. Among the most frequently requested
and implemented sessions were Project Management, Advanced Excel, Public Speaking, and Training of Trainers (TOT)—all of which addressed essential workplace competencies in administration, digital productivity, and communication. Each programme was designed to be highly practical, participatory, and workplace-relevant, with courses ranging in length from one-day workshops to intensive multi-day modules. Participants included major government institutions, state-owned enterprises, and corporate organisations, such as the Bank of Maldives, Housing Development Corporation, Fuel Supplies Maldives, Attorney General’s Office, and Fenaka Corporation.
One of the standout highlights of the year was the Cybersecurity training delivered to STELCO, which recorded the highest single-session attendance for the year, with 61 participants. This full-day workshop addressed critical topics such as data protection, cyber hygiene, and secure digital practices for the workplace. The training was designed in response to the growing need for digital literacy and information security across utility and infrastructure sectors. In addition to high-volume programmes, IRI also delivered several customised sessions such as Emotional Intelligence at Work, Public Speaking (Dhivehi – Basic and Advanced), and AutoCAD for Beginners further broadening its thematic scope. Courses were offered both at Ƶ campuses and on-site at client locations, depending on institutional preference and logistical needs. The Centre for Foundation Studies at Ƶ, in collaboration with the STO Recreation Club, successfully conducted a 19-hour Basic Photography Training Programme. The training was specifically designed for employees of the State Trading Organization (STO). The programme provided participants with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in areas such as camera handling, composition, lighting, and basic image editing. Over the two weeks, participants showed notable progress in both technical and creative aspects of photography. Through this extensive programme delivery Ƶ continues to serve as a central hub for vocational excellence, capacity development, and professional upskilling in the Maldives. All corporate training activities conducted were non-degree, non-credit-bearing, and open to the general public or institutional nominees. The success of these programmes reaffirms Ƶ’s pivotal role in strengthening national human capital and promoting inclusive access to lifelong learning.
Compared to 2023, the 2024 training portfolio demonstrated a deeper integration of vocational learning into professional and industry settings, with more courses tailored to client needs and a greater number of learners gaining direct, job-relevant experience. The breadth of topics expanded beyond traditional technical skills to include soft skills, sector-specific languages, public health competencies, and international exposure programmes, underscoring Ƶ’s growing role as a national hub for lifelong learning and professional capacity building.