Parliament has approved an amendment to the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act, reducing the minimum operating period required for a college to qualify for university status from 20 years to 15 years.

The Higher Education and Training Act Amendment Bill, introduced by South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau, was reviewed and passed with amendments by the National Development and Heritage Committee. It was subsequently approved by Parliament with 55 votes in favour.

The amendment aims to create more opportunities for higher education providers with the capacity and resources to operate as universities in the Maldives. Under the existing law, only institutions that have functioned as colleges in the country for at least 20 years.

The revised law also outlines detailed criteria that colleges must meet when applying for university status. These include offering programmes in at least three areas at Level 7 and Level 9 of the National Qualifications Framework, with more than 1,000 students enrolled in courses at Level 7 and above.

Colleges that have been ranked or rated in international university listings, hold membership in international university or quality assurance organisations for at least five years, and have demonstrated international-level research and management experience from foreign universities or colleges will also be eligible for consideration.

In addition, at least 10 per cent of the teaching staff in a college’s academic programmes must hold PhD qualifications, and the institution must meet facility standards set by the Ministry of Higher Education.

The amendment further requires the formulation and publication of related regulations in the Government Gazette within two months of the bill’s ratification.