Fifteen Maldivians have departed to Australia to undergo specialised training in cyber security and resilience, as part of efforts to strengthen national capacity in digital security and governance.

The training programme will run from 19 January to 3 February and will be conducted by Edith Cowan University (ECU), an internationally recognised institution specialising in cyber security education and research, in collaboration with the President’s Office.

According to officials, all costs associated with the programme are being covered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The training falls under the 2026 Australian Awards framework.

During the course, participants will receive hands-on training in key areas including advanced cyber governance, digital risk management, incident response coordination, and resilience planning. Prior to their departure, participants completed a pre-departure briefing to prepare for the academic and practical components of the programme.

A meeting was held at the President’s Office on 13 January, attended by Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives David Jessup, National Security Advisor Ibrahim Latheef DC (Retd), Lt. Col (Retd), Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology Dr Mohamed Kinaanath, and a representative from Edith Cowan University. The meeting focused on the objectives of the programme, academic structure and engagement goals.

The training programme is expected to contribute to strengthening institutional capacity and supporting the country’s digital transformation agenda under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Maldives 2.0 vision, particularly in enhancing cyber resilience and national security preparedness.