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In partnership with the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Education (NIE), ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ contributed to systemic improvements in teacher professional development through two large-scale capacity-building projects under the World Bank–funded Maldives Atoll Education Development Project (AEDP). These initiatives focused on teaching English, Mathematics, and Science in secondary schools, aligning closely with national education reform goals.

Training of Trainers for English Literacy Development: The Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) collaborated closely with the Ministry of Education, the National Institute for Education (NIE), and the World Bank–funded Maldives Atoll Education Development Project (AEDP: P177768) to advance English language teachers via Training or Trainers (ToT). This partnership centred on the design and delivery of a comprehensive training package for English language teaching in Maldivian secondary schools. Drawing on evidence-based pedagogical approaches and the contextual needs identified through consultation with NIE, IRI developed high-quality instructional materials aimed at enhancing both teaching practice and student learning outcomes. The Ministry of Education facilitated strategic alignment with national policy priorities and ensured broad access to participants, while the NIE provided subject expertise and guidance on curriculum integration.

The project was implemented through a model, whereby over 100 selected secondary English teachers received intensive capacity-building training. These TOT participants were then empowered to cascade the training within their respective schools and regions, ensuring wide-scale and sustainable dissemination of best practices. The initiative has produced a durable, high-quality professional development resource that is now embedded within the teacher training system. In direct alignment with the AEDP’s objectives, the collaboration has contributed to raising English language proficiency and strengthening pedagogical quality in secondary education, thereby supporting the Ministry’s long-term strategy for improved language learning outcomes nationwide.

Training of Trainers Secondary Mathematics and Science: Following the successful collaboration on enhancing English language instruction, the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) partnered with the Ministry of Education (MoE) on a second project under the World Bank–funded Maldives Atoll Education Development Project (AEDP), this time focusing on Implemented in close partnership with the National Institute for Education (NIE), the initiative aimed to strengthen students’ numeracy and scientific literacy — skills recognised as essential for national development and future workforce readiness. IRI developed contextually relevant training manuals for both subjects, incorporating innovative pedagogical strategies aligned with the national curriculum and informed by the diverse classroom realities in the Maldives. The Ministry ensured the project’s alignment with policy priorities and facilitated access to the participating teacher cohort.

Delivery was structured through a , equipping selected subject-specialist teachers with advanced instructional competencies, which they then cascaded to colleagues within their schools and atoll education networks.

This approach significantly enhanced the pedagogical capacity and subject mastery of secondary Mathematics and Science teachers, creating a system-wide impact. The project has directly informed MoE’s teacher development frameworks and contributed to the broader national agenda to , laying the groundwork for improved student achievement and preparedness for higher education and STEM-related careers.

Through large-scale national surveys, ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ provided regulators and policymakers with data on audience behaviours and democratic engagement, enabling evidence-based decisions in media regulation and governance.

Maldives Audience Survey: Through its expertise in large-scale national survey research, Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI), played a pivotal role in providing regulators and policymakers with robust, evidence-based insights into audience behaviours and democratic engagement, thereby enabling data-driven decisions in media regulation and governance.

commissioned by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission to fulfil obligations under the Channel Rating List Policy, involved a comprehensive nationwide assessment of audience perceptions, media consumption patterns, and satisfaction levels. With indirect policy linkage to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the survey generated actionable insights that enabled broadcasters to align content strategies with audience preferences and informed the Commission’s refinement of regulations, update of ratings systems, and enhancement of industry standards.

In a parallel initiative, IRI undertook the National Poll on allocation under a four-year USAID-supported contract. Designed and implemented in advance of the parliamentary elections, the survey measured public perceptions on decentralisation, governance, political inclusion, electoral processes, and the spread of disinformation. Findings were shared with key national stakeholders, including the Elections Commission, the Ministry of Atolls Development, and the Parliament, informing their decentralisation strategies, civic engagement programmes, and electoral process reforms. Together, these two projects demonstrate ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ’s capacity to operate as a trusted, neutral research partner, generating high-quality evidence to guide critical policy decisions in both the media and democratic governance spheres.

Shaping Economic and Workforce Development Policies: Research commissioned by leading industry partners and undertaken by ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ produced findings with direct implications for national economic policy, workforce planning, and sectoral development. The Creator Economy Landscape study, commissioned by Dhiraagu and led by the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI), mapped the emerging Maldivian creator economy to gain a better understanding of its market structure, revenue models, and operational barriers. Through extensive surveys and interviews with content creators, the research identified key market trends and structural challenges facing the sector. Although not directly commissioned by a government entity, the findings hold particular relevance for the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Tourism, providing a strong evidence base for the formulation of policy frameworks to support creative industries and strengthen SME development.

Complementing this work, the Maldivian Tourism Sector Employment and Competency Mapping project, conducted by the Qasim Ibrahim School of Business (QISB) in partnership with the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and the Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals (MAHRP), analysed employment distribution patterns in the tourism sector and mapped essential HR competencies within the Maldivian workforce. Using surveys and key informant interviews with tourism operators and HR managers, the study conducted a detailed analysis of employment ratios. It developed a competency framework tailored to the industry's specific needs. These outputs provide a critical foundation for tourism workforce policy formulation and targeted HR capacity-building initiatives, directly supporting national strategies to enhance local workforce participation and sectoral competitiveness.

Further advancing policy discourse in this domain, QISB produced a policy paper titled Localisation: Sustainability of the Maldivian Tourism Industry. This paper critically analysed the strategy of indigenisation within the Maldivian tourism sector, assessing both its socio-economic implications and operational feasibility. Drawing on empirical research and industry insights, the paper proposed a set of evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing the long-term sustainability and resilience of the tourism industry while ensuring equitable opportunities for the local workforce.

Together, these initiatives underscore ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ’s role in generating policy-relevant research that informs strategic decision-making and supports the sustainable development of the Maldivian economy.

Through strategic collaborations with independent commissions and parliamentary bodies, ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ advanced governance reforms and strengthened inclusion in political processes during 2024. These initiatives combined robust national survey evidence with targeted stakeholder consultations to inform legislative agendas and institutional strategies directly.

The National Corruption Perception Survey, commissioned by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Maldives and led by the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI), was designed, implemented, and analysed as a comprehensive nationwide public opinion study. The survey captured the public’s views on corruption and its roots in society across all administrative regions of the Maldives, offering an unprecedented breadth of insight into citizens’ experiences and perceptions. The results provide a clear roadmap for the Commission’s preventive efforts, identifying several priority areas for intervention and outlining actionable strategies that will guide the Commission’s ongoing work. Findings were published in a national report, which has directly informed the Commission’s awareness campaigns, strategic planning, and policy responses, reinforcing its mandate to promote integrity and transparency in public life.

In parallel, the Parliamentary Inquiry on Online Violence Against Women in Politics was launched through joint collaboration between the Faculty of Shariah and Law (FSL) and the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) at ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ, the Human Rights and Gender Committee of the People’s Majlis, and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). This critical initiative seeks to investigate the challenges faced by women in political spaces due to online violence and aims to drive informed policy recommendations. The project undertook surveys and focus group discussions with women politicians to examine the prevalence, nature, and impacts of online harassment. The resulting evidence was presented directly to the parliamentary committee and has informed recommendations for legislative reform and procedural safeguards. This collaboration marks a significant step toward creating safer online spaces for women in politics and advancing gender equality within political participation.

In 2024, ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ strengthened its role in advancing the quality and accessibility of health professional education in the Maldives. Through collaboration with regulatory bodies, the College contributed to rigorous quality assurance processes that underpin the training of the nation’s healthcare workforce. These initiatives supported national priorities for health sector capacity building and aligned with professional accreditation standards.

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ collaborated with the Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council (MNMC) to undertake a comprehensive institutional and facility readiness assessment as part of the programme approval process for the delivery of MSc and BSc Nursing degrees. Conducted between January and August 2024, this initiative involved systematic data collection to evaluate campus infrastructure, clinical training facilities, staffing qualifications, and compliance with national regulatory standards. The inspections were led by the Dean and Deputy Dean of FHS, in coordination with MNMC-appointed inspectors, to ensure complete alignment with professional accreditation requirements. The evidence gathered formed the basis for MNMC’s decision-making process, resulting in the approval of eight campuses across the Maldives to deliver MSc and BSc Nursing programmes. This collaborative process not only strengthened the quality assurance framework for nursing education but also expanded access to advanced nursing qualifications, thereby supporting the national health workforce development agenda.

The breadth and depth of ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ’s policy outreach and lawmaker engagement in 2024 reflect its consolidated position as a leading national hub for evidence-based policymaking, capacity building, and legislative support. By combining rigorous academic research, targeted professional development, and structured stakeholder dialogue, the College has delivered tangible policy outcomes across education, governance, economic development, democratic participation, and health regulation. Each collaboration — whether with ministries, independent commissions, parliamentary bodies, or industry associations — was anchored in mutual trust, academic neutrality, and a shared commitment to the public good. The resulting outputs have not only informed immediate policy decisions but have also contributed to building institutional capacity and shaping long-term national strategies.

In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), these initiatives have strengthened transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in national governance. As we advance, ÃÜÌÒÊÓƵ remains committed to leveraging its research expertise, academic partnerships, and convening power to ensure that national policies continue to be grounded in robust evidence and responsive to the evolving needs of Maldivian society