Local Climate Education and Awareness Campaigns

The First Lady, Madam Saajidha Mohamed, graced the opening event held at the central administration as the esteemed chief guest. This event gathered experts in agriculture, food security, and climate change from the Maldives and beyond to assess the vulnerabilities of the country’s agricultural systems and to develop a comprehensive roadmap for implementing climate-smart agricultural practices. The goal is to enhance food security, promote sustainability, and ensure the resilience of the Maldives’ economy and ecosystems in the face of ongoing and future climate impacts. The event is scheduled for 2 days, from 3rd February to 4th February, at the B’ Block Auditorium of the MNU central administration.

Conference Objectives
To Evaluate and Strengthen Food Security Under Climate Stress: Assess the vulnerabilities of the Maldives’ agricultural systems to climate change and other external shocks and develop strategies to enhance food security.
To Advance Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices: Promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices tailored to the Maldives, including innovations in soil, water, and crop management.
To Foster Collaborative Action and Investment: Build international and cross-sectoral collaborations for knowledge sharing, resource mobilization, and investment in sustainable agricultural infrastructure, particularly in aquaculture and marine fisheries.

Months of collaborative work in partnership with Canada’s TAP EDM, The Maldives National University and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment have resulted in a living document, a Climate and Environmental Research Framework.
The ceremony was enriched by remarks from:
– The High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, H.E. Eric Walsh
– TAP-EDM Project Director, Christopher Yeomans
– State Minister Mohamed Faiz, from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment
– And Vice Chancellor of The Maldives National University, Dr. Aishath Shehenaz Adam.
It is the hope of the partners as well as The Maldives National University that this document is used as a benchmark for research centering around the issues of climate change and environment and the outputs are useable for research informed policy making decisions around this urgent issue.
We look forward to further collaboration on shared interests with the partners of this project.

The EnDheri Project, under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, is providing full sponsorship to 12 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Climate Change program at the Laamu Gan Campus of Maldives The National University (MNU). This initiative, aimed at building capacity in Laamu Atoll, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening climate resilience and sustainable development in the Maldives. Open to students across the nation, the sponsorship required recipients to pursue their studies at the Laamu Gan Campus. This targeted support refl ects a strategic partnership between the Ministry and MNU, designed to cultivate local expertise in climate-related fi elds.

Stdents from the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology collaborated with SIGS Maldives to develop prototypical designs for resilient guesthouses for Maldives. The architectural students designed these guesthouses as a part of their final year coursework.
Students from the MNU Business School collaborated with SIGs to develop the Cost-Benefit Analysis for the prototypes developed under the project. The outcomes of this projetc was exhibited to the public in 2024.

TAP-EDM connects Canadian experts with international partners to build capacity through knowledge exchange, focusing on collaboration, mutual benefit, and sustainable development. The main outputs of the project will be:
o The co-development of a gender-responsive and inclusive institutional framework for research on climate change and environmental sustainability.
o Delivery of capacity strengthening and training that supports the implementation of the framework.
o Enhanced coordination between MNU and Ministry on research outputs that advance climate and sustainability policy and financing.
From October 2024 to June 2025, MNU and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, with support from the TAP-EDM initiative, are working together to design and implement an institutional framework to guide climate change and environmental sustainability research at MNU.

An agreement between The Maldives National University (MNU) and The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy was signed today to develop and deliver a Basic Ranger Training Course tailored to the unique environmental, social, and governance challenges in the Maldives under the ENDhERI project. This initiative aims to build local capacity in environmental management and conservation, addressing the specific needs of the Maldives’ delicate ecosystems.

Project lead Professor Jonathan Chan from VUB also spoke at the event. He expressed his contentment on the establishment of the new geospatial lab that will provide the necessary infrastructure and support to remote sensing and GIS training and research. He also thanked the relevant parties stating that to build a lab from scratch needs the support of the administration and efforts of academic staff and the project team of MNU. He sincerely hopes that the lab serves as a motivation for future education and research in the area.

A team of 2 Architecture students, Lecturer from Department of Architecture, Mr AHmed Fariz Nizar from MNU collaborated with California College of Arts (CCA) in their participation in the Prestigious competition summit in New York this year called the “Bio Design Challenge”. This team’s entry called the “Shore thing”, based for the Maldivian context, was selected amongst the Top 8 for overall best Design and was awarded the “Outstanding Field Research Prize Winner (supported by Cambridge University Press”

Prevention of Marine Litter in the Lakshadweep Sea (PROMISE) is a 4-year project (2020-2024) supported by the European Union (EU) under the SWITCH Asia Programme. Tourism industries have been identified as major contributors to marine litter due to high consumption rates of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and convenience products wrapped in single-use plastic packaging. In many touristic regions of the global south, this is aggravated by the absence of effective policy frameworks, a lack of consumer awareness and insufficient capacities of local authorities to handle the increasing solid waste. The Maldives, Sri Lanka and India have undergone substantial growth in tourism clusters located along their shorelines of the Lakshadweep Sea. While this has increased the economic well-being of the local population, these developments have also come at a high price.

Climate Change Diplomacy Leadership and Resilience (CHILDRN) is an Erasmus+ EU funded project designed to build the capacity of the Maldives National University in the area of Climate Change. As the Maldives is a very low-lying island Nation, the country is very vulnerable to impacts of Climate Change. Therefore, resilience education is a priority in the country. Through CHILDRN project, priority areas such as Climate Change Prevention, Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies will be addressed. Indeed, climate education and capacity building will form the cornerstone of the project, enabling the Maldives to strengthen their position as the climate leaders of tomorrow.

website: https://childrn.net/

A new Bachelor of Science in Climate Change degree was inrtoduced. The degree will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the science behind climate change, its impacts on the environment and human health, and the strategies and tools for mitigating and adapting to its effect. Maldives is a country entirely build by coral reefs and surrounded by oceans and seas rich in marine life, climate change has a significant impact on the future survival of the country. Hence, training on climate change is much needed for developing climate-change leaders in the Maldives. This is the first time a BSc in Climate Change degree is offered in Maldives. At present, the Maldives is very much in need of technical expertise in this area and this degree can play a crucial role in filling the gaps of training needs of the Maldivian youths in areas related to climate change.

For more information about the course: Bachelor of Science in Climate Change

The Maldives National University and Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) held a free short course on Marine Protected Area Management from May 13–23, 2024. The course, which took place daily f, aimed to provide participants with essential knowledge and skills in marine conservation, , particularly relevant to MPAs in the Maldives.

The Maldives National University (MNU) has taken the lead in promoting sustainability by launching a campus kitchen garden at MNU. The inauguration ceremony, held on June 5, 2024, featured opening remarks and a vote of thanks from Abdul Rahman Mubaarqiue, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance).

This initiative has garnered support from the Australian High Commission, The Republic of Maldives, and the University of Melbourne. His Excellency, David Jessup, Australian High Commissioner, graced the event as the Chief Guest and ceremoniously planted the first seed. The Australian High Commission also provided a gardening kit to facilitate the project’s ongoing activities. Furthermore, Dr. Rhonda Di Biase, a visiting scholar from the University of Melbourne, actively supported the project with practical ideas focused on sustainable practices, relevant to the Maldivian context.

The kitchen garden project aims to foster sustainable outcomes and provide both curricular and co-curricular opportunities for MNU students. It seeks to reconnect individuals with the sources of their food, understanding how it grows and where it originates. The garden beds were constructed using existing materials, such as used bricks, to ensure a quick and easy build. During the launch event, pumpkin, basil, chili, and cucumber were planted in the garden beds.

The MNU kitchen garden aspires to be a model for establishing similar gardens in communities and schools, providing a range of learning opportunities and promoting sustainable practices.

More information at : Pioneering Campus Kitchen Garden Initiative

The Maldives National University – Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies partners with Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives to launch and outreach centre

In a momentous ceremony held on 29th August 2023 at MNU, 15 students from Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences – have been bestowed with a remarkable opportunity. They are set to embark on an enriching educational expedition across Europe during the upcoming autumn season. The initiative, made possible by the European Union-funded ERASMUS Project “Climate Change Diplomacy, Leadership, and Resilience (CHILDRN),” aims to empower students with transformative experiences.

These students will participate in a mobility program that promises to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of critical global issues, particularly climate change diplomacy, leadership, and resilience. The ERASMUS project, a flagship endeavor backed by the European Union, reflects its commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchanges and enhancing educational opportunities. The students will be hosted by Université de Liège, Université Paris Cité and University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA).

MNU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Soneva Conservation and Sustainability Maldives (Soneva CSM) to foster collaboration in marine conservation, with a special focus on coral reef research and restoration.

Under this partnership, Soneva CSM will provide MNU students with opportunities to participate in research projects and internships, offering practical, hands-on experience in coral reef ecology and marine conservation. The agreement also paves the way for the exchange of research findings between the two institutions, while creating a platform for future joint research initiatives in the field of marine science.

Soneva CSM, a registered non-governmental organization in the Maldives supported by Soneva Resorts, is dedicated to safeguarding marine ecosystems and advancing conservation science. Its work includes coral reef restoration, marine biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement programs that encourage sustainable practices.

The MNU College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences is home to the country’s leading Marine Science program, equipping students with theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in marine biology, oceanography, and resource management. The program plays a vital role in developing local capacity to safeguard the Maldives’ unique and fragile marine environment.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, representatives from both institutions highlighted the importance of collaborative research in addressing the growing environmental challenges facing the Maldives’ marine ecosystems.

This MoU represents a significant step towards enhancing academic-industry partnerships, strengthening conservation efforts, and empowering the next generation of Maldivian marine scientists.

In an effort to bridge the gap between theory and practice and to gather data to guide the students in their studio project, third-year architecture students of the Faculty of Engineering, Science, and Technology recently undertook an exciting field trip in the North Ari Atoll. From February 25th to March 2nd, a group of thirty enthusiastic students, accompanied by three lecturers, travelled to study the existing context of the Island of Aa. Mathiveri, exploring architectural design and resilience. The first several days were dedicated to collecting data from Aa. Mathiveri, including the study of the existing natural and built environment, zoning, infrastructure, amenities, cultural and social attributes of the island. Additionally, the students focused on an in-depth study and documentation of several aspects of existing guesthouses and their infrastructure as well as their vulnerability to disasters and climate change effects. Interviews with relevant stakeholders provided valuable information with respect to the challenges as well as perceptions towards resilient designs. This was followed by a trip to the neighboring island of Aa.Bodufolhudhoo for a comparison study of guesthouses and tourism establishments in the island and collected relevant data for analysis. A key highlight of the trip included a visit to the one-of-akind, Nika Island Resort, one of the very first resorts in Maldives, built in 1983. The island has to be considered as a piece of cultural heritage, thanks to its collection of vernacular architectural masterpieces which still survive to date. The visit provided valuable insights into traditional practices of using the local environment, climate and passive design techniques to ensure sustainability of both the built and natural environment.

Earlier in February, students from the Bachelor of Marine Science visited Huraa to conduct studies related to the ecology and socio-economic aspects of the island. The main focuses were on the water quality and an evaluation of coastal ecosystems to create a coastal zone management plan for the island.
The studies conducted by the students include:
– Survey of the public opinion on coastal ecosystems and their role in the economy.
– Aerial mapping of the island.
– Soil Quality testing in the mangrove (parameters such as: pH, Nitrates, Potassium, Phosphates).
– Water quality assessments conducted (parameters such as: Temperature, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Acidity, Alkalinity, Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen, BOD, Nitrates, Phosphates, E-coli).
– Assessment of beaches using beach profiles.
– Microfauna survey of plankton species within the mangrove.
– Rapid biodiversity assessment to identify the species found.

The 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (ICEST2025) is a premier academic event dedicated to exploring and advancing cutting-edge research and practices across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Scheduled to take place on October 1-2, 2025 at Maldives National University (MNU), this conference aims to gather scholars, researchers, industry experts, and practitioners from around the globe to discuss and address the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in engineering, science, and technology

ICEST2025 is designed to foster collaboration, stimulate scholarly exchange, and promote the development of sustainable solutions that align with global development goals. The conference will feature a diverse array of presentations, keynote addresses, and interactive sessions led by esteemed experts and thought leaders in the field. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with groundbreaking research, gain insights into emerging technologies, and explore practical applications of innovative solutions.

In recognition of the increasing local and global significance of environmental protection and sustainable development, the ICEST Conference introduced a specialized track focused on environment and sustainability, providing a platform for deeper discussion, research exchange, and innovative solutions.

Atoll and Island Formation in the Maldives, developed under the MNU Book Writing Grant by authors Mohamed Didi, Dr. Andre Droxler, Dr. Aminath Shiyama, and Dr. Fathimath Shafeeqa, with layout artist Maadhih Mohamed.
This book is a valuable resource for teachers and students, offering a modern understanding of the geological, ecological, and environmental processes shaping the islands and atolls of the Maldives. It includes classroom activities and detailed teacher notes to enhance learning.
The event was honored by the esteemed presence of Adam Naseer Ibrahim, the Maldivian Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage.

In observance of International Environmental Day, FESA collaborated with BSSA to organise a beach cleaning event. The program aimed to promote environmental awareness and community responsibility while contributing to a cleaner and healthier coastline