The Government has taken a step towards positioning the country as a higher education hub by exploring strategies to attract international students. 

Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, announced plans to expand participation in international higher education fairs as part of efforts to recruit foreign students. 

Speaking at the Consultation Workshop on Exporting Education in the Maldives, organised by the Ministry, Minister Dr Haidar highlighted the potential economic benefits of attracting foreign students, aligning the initiative with the Government’s broader strategy to diversify the Maldivian economy. He noted that the hospitality sector – including resorts, guesthouses, and liveaboards – could serve as an attractive option for students pursuing tourism-related studies. 

The workshop brought together 50 representatives from key institutions, including the Maldives National University (MNU), the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), and Maldives Immigration. Discussions focused on student visas, residence arrangements, quality assurance, and branding the Maldives as a study destination. 

The Maldives currently has two internationally recognised universities and several accredited colleges offering programmes up to the PhD level. The Government aims to increase foreign student enrolment, targeting 5 per cent of the 20,000 students expected in the country’s higher education sector over the next five years. 

The workshop also identified key legal and administrative measures needed to facilitate international student recruitment. Authorities are considering enhancements to visa policies and the establishment of a special legal framework to support student mobility.