Dr. Aishath Shehenaz Adam is the Vice Chancellor of The Maldives National University (MNU) and the first woman to hold this position. Prior to her appointment as Vice Chancellor in November 2023, she served as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) from 2019 to 2023.

Dr. Adam holds a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics from the University of Newcastle, Australia, a Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Philosophy in Mathematics Education from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She also completed postdoctoral research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA.

Her professional experience spans education, higher education leadership, public administration, diplomacy, and research. She has served as a Mathematics Teacher, Assistant Principal, Executive Director at the Ministry of Education, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Pakistan, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and non-resident Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Dr. Adam’s areas of expertise include mathematics education, ethnomathematics, higher education policy, quality assurance, internationalisation, educational leadership, and research development. She has led numerous national and international research projects and consultancy assignments for organisations including UNICEF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and UNESCO. An internationally recognised scholar in ethnomathematics, she is the author of Mathematical Thinking in the Maldives: Ethnomathematics, Cultural Heritage, and Curriculum Integration and has published widely on mathematics education, higher education, and national development. Her contributions have been recognised through several honours, including the President’s Award of the Maldives, the Gold Award at the Professional and Career Awards Maldives, and the Early Career Award from the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia.

As Vice Chancellor, Dr. Adam leads MNU’s efforts to advance academic excellence, research and innovation, quality assurance, international engagement, and sustainable national development.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Mathematics Education) | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks, Alaska, USA | 2005

Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics Education) | University of Auckland | Auckland, New Zealand | 2004

Master of Philosophy (Mathematics Education) | University of Waikato | Hamilton, New Zealand | 1999

Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics Education | University of Waikato | Hamilton, New Zealand | 1998

Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) | University of Newcastle | Newcastle, Australia | 1995

Mathematics Education
Ethnomathematics
Higher Education Policy and Development
Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Educational Leadership
Children and Youth Well-being
Societal Development and Public Policy
Small Island Development

Mathematics Education
Research Methodology
Educational Leadership
Curriculum Development
Higher Education Studies
Quality Assurance in Higher Education

• Study on Senior Citizens and Ageing Well in the Maldives – The Maldives National University, 2024.
• Exploring Perceptions and Impact of Decentralisation in the Maldives – The Maldives National University, 2024.
• Baseline Study on Human Trafficking in the Maldives – International Organization for Migration (IOM) and The Maldives National University, 2023.
• Rapid Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on Children in the Maldives – UNICEF and The Maldives National University, 2023.
• Identifying the Root Causes and Prevalence of Youth Crime and Delinquency in the Maldives – Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and The Maldives National University, 2022.
• Strategic Support for Accreditation of Programmes and Internationalisation at South Asian Higher Education Institutions (SSAPI) – Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, 2021–2024.
• Inquiry into the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women in the Maldives – People’s Majlis, Maldives, 2021.
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Higher Education Sector of the Maldives: Responses and Challenges – Ministry of Higher Education, Maldives, 2020.
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Sector of the Maldives – People’s Majlis, Maldives, 2020.
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Sector of the Maldives – Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Maldives, 2020.
• Socioeconomic Survey of Residents of Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu – Ministry of Environment and Asian Development Bank, 2019.
• Higher Education Training Needs Analysis of the Maldives – Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and World Bank, 2018.
• National Assessment of Learning Outcomes in Dhivehi, English and Mathematics – Ministry of Education and World Bank, 2018.
• Strategic Plan for the National Higher Education Master Plan – Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and World Bank, 2017.
• Policy to Implement the School Improvement, Quality Assurance and Accountability Framework – Ministry of Education and UNICEF, 2017.

PhD Supervisor, The Maldives National University (2020–Present).
PhD Co-Supervisor, Edith Cowan University, Australia (2020–2023).
PhD Thesis Examiner, The Maldives National University (2025).
Master’s Thesis Supervisor, Islamic University of Maldives (2019).
Master’s Thesis Supervisor, Villa College.
Dhivehi Degree Thesis Supervisor, The Maldives National University.

Summary: Supervised and co-supervised Master’s and PhD research in mathematics education, educational leadership, higher education, quality assurance, research methodology, and related fields. Ongoing supervision of doctoral candidates at The Maldives National University.

Books
• Adam, A. S. (2026). Mathematical Thinking in the Maldives: Ethnomathematics, Cultural Heritage, and Curriculum Integration. The Maldives National University.
• Watt, D. L., Lipka, J., Webster, J. P., Yanez, E., Andrew-Ihrke, D., & Adam, A. S. (2006). Designing Patterns: Exploring Shapes and Area. Calgary, Alberta: Detselig Enterprises Ltd.
• Adam, A. S., Lipka, J., Adams, B., Rickard, A., Gilliland, K., & Webster, J. P. (2005). Salmon Fishing: Investigations into Probability – A Curriculum Module for Grades 6 and 7. Brush Education.
Scholarly Publications and Professional Articles
• Adam, A. S. (2026). Repositioning Internationalisation in a New Geopolitical Era: A Small Island Nation’s Perspective. IAU Horizons.
• Adam, A. S. (2025). Building Trust in Higher Education: A Maldives Perspective. IAU Horizons.
• Adam, A. S. (2020). Exploring Ethnomathematics in the Maldives: Counting and Measuring. Maldives National Journal of Research, 8(2), 7–30.
• Lipka, J., Adam, S., Yanez, E., & Andrew-Ihrke, D. (2009). A Two-Way Process for Developing Effective Culturally Based Mathematics: Examples from Math in a Cultural Context. In B. Greer, S. Mukhopadhyay, A. Powell & S. Nelson-Barber (Eds.), Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education (pp. 257–280). Springer.
• Adams, B., Adam, S., & Opbroek, M. (2005). Reversing the Academic Trend for Rural Students: The Case of Michelle Opbroek. Journal of American Indian Education.
• Adam, S., Adams, B., Brenner, B., Kagle, M., Lipka, J., Parker-Webster, J., & Wiles, J. (2005). Unpacking the Findings of an Effective, Culturally Based Mathematics Curriculum. Proceedings of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
• Adam, S. (2004). Ethnomathematical Ideas in the Curriculum. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 16(2), 49–68.
• Adam, S., Alangui, W., & Barton, B. (2003). A Comment on: Rowlands & Carson “Where Would Formal Academic Mathematics Stand in a Curriculum Informed by Ethnomathematics? A Critical Review.” Educational Studies in Mathematics, 52(3), 327–335.
• Adam, S. (2003). Ethnomathematical Ideas in the Curriculum. Proceedings of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA 26).
• Adam, S. (2002). Ethnomathematics in the Maldivian Curriculum. Proceedings of the International Congress on Ethnomathematics II, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
• Adam, S. (2000). Measuring in Maldivian Society. International Study Group on Ethnomathematics Newsletter.
• Adam, S. (1999). Exploring Ethnomathematics in Maldives: Counting. International Study Group on Ethnomathematics Newsletter.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2022). Global Perspectives on Higher Education. Brill.
Major Research Reports
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2024). Study on Senior Citizens and Ageing Well in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2024). Exploring Perceptions and Impact of Decentralisation in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). Baseline Study on Human Trafficking in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). Rapid Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on Children in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). An Exploratory Study of Maldivian Children’s Holistic Well-being: Children’s Perspectives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2022). Identifying the Root Causes and Prevalence of Youth Crime and Delinquency in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2021). An Inquiry into the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Higher Education Sector of the Maldives: Responses and Challenges.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Sector of the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Sector of the Maldives.

Books
• Adam, A. S. (2026). Mathematical Thinking in the Maldives: Ethnomathematics, Cultural Heritage, and Curriculum Integration. The Maldives National University.
• Watt, D. L., Lipka, J., Webster, J. P., Yanez, E., Andrew-Ihrke, D., & Adam, A. S. (2006). Designing Patterns: Exploring Shapes and Area. Calgary, Alberta: Detselig Enterprises Ltd.
• Adam, A. S., Lipka, J., Adams, B., Rickard, A., Gilliland, K., & Webster, J. P. (2005). Salmon Fishing: Investigations into Probability – A Curriculum Module for Grades 6 and 7. Brush Education.
Scholarly Publications and Professional Articles
• Adam, A. S. (2026). Repositioning Internationalisation in a New Geopolitical Era: A Small Island Nation’s Perspective. IAU Horizons.
• Adam, A. S. (2025). Building Trust in Higher Education: A Maldives Perspective. IAU Horizons.
• Adam, A. S. (2020). Exploring Ethnomathematics in the Maldives: Counting and Measuring. Maldives National Journal of Research, 8(2), 7–30.
• Lipka, J., Adam, S., Yanez, E., & Andrew-Ihrke, D. (2009). A Two-Way Process for Developing Effective Culturally Based Mathematics: Examples from Math in a Cultural Context. In B. Greer, S. Mukhopadhyay, A. Powell & S. Nelson-Barber (Eds.), Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education (pp. 257–280). Springer.
• Adams, B., Adam, S., & Opbroek, M. (2005). Reversing the Academic Trend for Rural Students: The Case of Michelle Opbroek. Journal of American Indian Education.
• Adam, S., Adams, B., Brenner, B., Kagle, M., Lipka, J., Parker-Webster, J., & Wiles, J. (2005). Unpacking the Findings of an Effective, Culturally Based Mathematics Curriculum. Proceedings of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
• Adam, S. (2004). Ethnomathematical Ideas in the Curriculum. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 16(2), 49–68.
• Adam, S., Alangui, W., & Barton, B. (2003). A Comment on: Rowlands & Carson “Where Would Formal Academic Mathematics Stand in a Curriculum Informed by Ethnomathematics? A Critical Review.” Educational Studies in Mathematics, 52(3), 327–335.
• Adam, S. (2003). Ethnomathematical Ideas in the Curriculum. Proceedings of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA 26).
• Adam, S. (2002). Ethnomathematics in the Maldivian Curriculum. Proceedings of the International Congress on Ethnomathematics II, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
• Adam, S. (2000). Measuring in Maldivian Society. International Study Group on Ethnomathematics Newsletter.
• Adam, S. (1999). Exploring Ethnomathematics in Maldives: Counting. International Study Group on Ethnomathematics Newsletter.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2022). Global Perspectives on Higher Education. Brill.
Major Research Reports
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2024). Study on Senior Citizens and Ageing Well in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2024). Exploring Perceptions and Impact of Decentralisation in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). Baseline Study on Human Trafficking in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). Rapid Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on Children in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2023). An Exploratory Study of Maldivian Children’s Holistic Well-being: Children’s Perspectives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2022). Identifying the Root Causes and Prevalence of Youth Crime and Delinquency in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2021). An Inquiry into the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women in the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Higher Education Sector of the Maldives: Responses and Challenges.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Sector of the Maldives.
• Adam, A. S., et al. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Sector of the Maldives.

Plenary and Keynote Addresses
• Plenary Speaker, Association of Commonwealth Universities Congress, Nairobi, Kenya (2025).
• Plenary Speaker, International Association of Universities Conference, Kigali, Rwanda (2025).
• Keynote Speaker, Education Forum, Yunnan Open University, China (2024).
• Keynote Speaker, Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Small Island Developing States Seminar, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Tokyo, Japan (2024).
• Keynote Speaker, Women and Security in the Workplace and Society, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maldives (2024).
Conference Leadership and Organisation
• Co-Chair, IEEE IAS Global Conference on Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Technologies (2023).
• Co-Chair, International Conference on Electrical, Computer, Communications and Mechatronics Engineering (ICECCME), IEEE (2022).
• THEVELI International Conference, The Maldives National University (2021–Present).
Selected International Conferences and Academic Engagement
• Association of Commonwealth Universities Congress, Kenya (2025).
• International Association of Universities Conference, Rwanda (2025).
• Belt and Road International Education Cooperation Summit Forum, China (2025).
• South Asia Higher Education Symposium, Türkiye (2024).
• Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), USA (2023).
• International Congress on Ethnomathematics (Brazil, New Zealand). (2002, 2006)
• Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA). (2001-2004

• Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
• International Association of Universities (IAU).
• Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN).
• International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
• Academic and Financial Planning Committee, South Asia University, India.
• Editorial Board Member, Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR).

• Gold Award, Professional and Career Awards Maldives (2021), Women in Management Maldives.
• President’s Award of the Maldives (2005).
• Early Career Award, Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) (2003).
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA (2004–2005).
• Scholarship to attend and present at the United States Presidential Workshop on Intent Participation, California, USA (2005).
• NZAid Scholarship for Doctoral Studies, New Zealand (2001).
• NZAid Scholarship for Master’s Studies, New Zealand (1997).

• Consultant for projects funded by UNICEF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Government of Maldives in the areas of education, higher education, quality assurance, policy development, and national development.
• Contributed to national studies on higher education, school quality assurance, learning outcomes, children’s well-being, human trafficking, violence against women, youth crime and delinquency, decentralisation, and ageing and well-being.
• Developed policy and strategic planning documents for the Ministry of Education, including work related to higher education planning, school quality assurance, and educational development.
• Served as National Coordinator for UNESCO’s Education for All (EFA) Programme.
• Delivered training workshops and seminars on research methodology, educational leadership, quality assurance, higher education development, mathematics education, and educational policy.
• Conducted pre-conference workshop at the THEVELI International Conference on research and academic development.
• Participated as a panel member in Ilmy Foavahi, Faculty of Education, The Maldives National University.
• Participated in Fahi MNU outreach programmes, delivering professional development workshops for teachers in schools across the Maldives.
• Contributed to staff and student well-being initiatives through Fahi MNU and the Fahi Sihhath Campaign, supporting activities that promote health, well-being, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
• Contributed to university outreach initiatives including book fairs, food fairs, and Fahi Furusath (Job and Career Fair), providing opportunities for engagement between students, employers, staff, and the wider community.
• Served as Patron and Executive Committee Member of the Islamabad Foreign Women’s Association (IFWA), participating in community service, charitable activities, and programmes supporting local communities.
• Contributed to public dialogue through lectures, panel discussions, stakeholder consultations, media engagements, and community outreach activities related to education, higher education, research, culture, and national development.
• Supervised and mentored postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and academic staff through teaching, research, and professional development activities.

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