Ammar Suhail, a faculty member at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), The Maldives National University (MNU), completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education in August 2024, strengthening his expertise in university teaching, learning, and academic leadership.

The professional qualification focused on contemporary pedagogical, andragogical, and technological approaches to higher education, together with leadership and management practices relevant to academic settings. Through seminars, collaborative learning, scholarly readings, action research, and independent study, the programme provided opportunities to connect educational theory with practical approaches to teaching and learning.

The programme also strengthened competencies in curriculum design, student assessment, supervision, coaching, mentoring, and academic leadership. These skills support the development of engaging, learner-centred educational experiences and contribute to continuous improvement in teaching practice.

Reflecting on the programme, Ammar said, “The Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education was well organised and informative. The modules were relevant and helped improve my knowledge and teaching skills, while the learning activities encouraged critical thinking and practical application. Overall, the programme was a valuable professional development experience.”

The completion of the qualification contributes to strengthening academic capacity within FHS. Enhanced expertise in curriculum design, assessment, supervision, and mentoring can support the quality of student learning while encouraging the adoption of contemporary approaches to teaching across health professions education.

Staff professional development is an important component of maintaining and improving the quality of higher education. Building expertise in teaching and academic leadership enables faculty members to respond to evolving educational practices, apply appropriate technologies and teaching strategies, and contribute to the professional development of both students and colleagues.

The achievement also supports **Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education** through the continued development of academic staff capacity and the enhancement of teaching and learning within higher education.