he Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) conducted a stakeholder engagement session to discuss the course structures of the proposed Master’s in Counselling and Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Studies programmes.

The consultation, led by Fathimath Maeesha with relevant stakeholders, provided an opportunity to gather perspectives on the proposed programmes and consider how their content can best respond to professional and sector needs.

Stakeholder engagement is an important part of developing practice-oriented postgraduate education. Input from professionals and relevant sectors can help ensure that programme structures reflect current practice requirements and equip graduates with knowledge and competencies relevant to the Maldivian context.

The proposed programmes are intended to contribute to the development of the national counselling and addiction-care workforce. Through advanced education and professional preparation, the programmes can support the availability of appropriately trained professionals and contribute to the delivery of quality counselling, mental health and addiction-related services.

The consultation also reflects FHS’s commitment to collaborative programme development, ensuring that postgraduate education is informed by the perspectives and experiences of those working within relevant professional sectors.

Through continued engagement with stakeholders, FHS aims to develop programmes that are academically robust, professionally relevant and responsive to emerging needs within the health and mental health sectors.

The initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through its focus on strengthening counselling, mental health and addiction services, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of relevant, practice-oriented postgraduate education.