The Maldives National University (MNU) has signed a MoU with Yunnan University (YNU), China, to promote collaborative research, innovation, and academic development in the fields of data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and intelligent healthcare. This collaboration demonstrates MNU’s commitment to strengthening national capacity in advanced digital health technologies and positioning the Maldives at the forefront of smart healthcare research in the region.

As part of the agreement, the two universities will jointly establish the International Joint Key Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligent Computing (IJKL-DSIC) and a Joint Research Center for Intelligent Healthcare (JRCIH) at MNU. These institutions will serve as hubs for groundbreaking research and innovation focused on AI-assisted diagnostics, medical data analytics, and digital health solutions. Through this partnership, MNU aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, biomedical sciences, and healthcare technology, creating opportunities for both faculty and students to engage in advanced research and scientific development.

In addition to research initiatives, the agreement includes faculty and researcher exchanges, joint training programs, student mobility opportunities, and co-supervision of postgraduate studies. MNU and YNU also plan to jointly publish academic work, host conferences, and pursue international research funding. Yunnan University will also provide technical expertise, knowledge-sharing support, and research resources to further strengthen MNU’s capabilities in emerging areas of health technology.