MNU plays an important role in contributing academic expertise, research and professional knowledge to government policy development, public administration and national decision-making.

 

Drawing on expertise across education, health, law, governance, economics, business, environmental sciences, marine studies, engineering, technology and the social sciences, MNU contributes to discussions and initiatives addressing national development priorities.

 

University academics and professional staff engage with government ministries, public institutions, regulatory authorities, local councils and national advisory bodies through policy consultations, technical committees, working groups, research collaborations and professional advisory roles.

 

These engagements provide opportunities for academic knowledge, research findings and professional expertise to inform public policy, institutional planning and the development of programmes and services that respond to the needs of Maldivian communities.

 

MNU Vice Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam is a member of the current advisory board of MQA. The advisory board was appointed by the President of Maldives on 21st March 2024 as per the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act (7/2021).

 

MNU academic and professional staff contribute their expertise through participation in national committees, boards, councils, technical working groups and advisory bodies established by government institutions and public authorities.

 

Depending on their appointments and areas of expertise, staff may serve as committee members, technical experts, professional advisers, institutional representatives or members of specialised working groups.

These engagements create opportunities for MNU staff to contribute evidence, technical perspectives and professional recommendations to discussions on national policies, institutional development, regulatory frameworks and public-sector priorities.

 

As a leading provider of higher education and professional development in the Maldives, MNU brings expertise in education, curriculum development, teacher education, educational assessment, quality assurance and academic standards.

 

Through engagement with relevant government institutions and education stakeholders, the University contributes academic perspectives to discussions on educational development, workforce preparation, professional competencies and the strengthening of national education systems.

 

MNU’s academic expertise supports evidence-informed consideration of educational challenges and opportunities, including access to education, teaching quality, lifelong learning and the development of skilled professionals.

 

Through its health-related academic disciplines, including medicine, nursing and health sciences, MNU provides a source of professional and research expertise relevant to national health priorities.

Academic engagement with health-sector institutions creates opportunities to contribute to discussions on healthcare education, workforce development, professional practice, public health and the improvement of health services.

 

Such contributions support connections between health research, professional education and public-sector planning.

 

MNU’s expertise in law, governance, public administration, security studies and the social sciences contributes to informed discussion of public institutions, legal frameworks, national security and social development.

Through academic research, professional engagement and participation in relevant consultations and advisory bodies, University staff can provide independent, evidence-based perspectives on matters affecting national governance and institutional development.

 

This work supports informed policy dialogue and the consideration of different perspectives in public decision-making.

 

 

As a small island developing state, the Maldives faces significant environmental and climate-related challenges.

 

MNU’s academic expertise in marine science, fisheries, environmental management, climate change, sustainability and related fields provides a foundation for contributing scientific knowledge to national and local development discussions.

 

Research findings, technical expertise and stakeholder engagement can support government consideration of environmental protection, coastal and marine resource management, climate adaptation and sustainable development.

 

MNU’s regional campuses, outreach centres and academic units provide opportunities for engagement with island councils, atoll councils and local communities across the Maldives.

 

These relationships support the exchange of knowledge on local development needs, education and training, community well-being, environmental management and other issues of local importance.

Through research, consultations and collaborative activities, the University seeks to strengthen the connection between academic expertise and local decision-making.

 

The Maldives National University (MNU) contributes to strengthening national institutions and supporting evidence-informed policymaking through the participation of its academic and professional staff in government ministries, national councils, regulatory bodies, technical committees and advisory institutions.

As the national university, MNU brings together expertise across diverse disciplines, enabling its staff to contribute to national policy discussions and institutional decision-making on matters of public importance. These contributions reflect the University’s commitment to serving society and supporting national development beyond its teaching and research functions.

7. Contributing to National Research Governance and Health Policy

MNU staff contribute to national research governance through participation in the National Health Research Council, National Research Council and other advisory bodies concerned with research policy and development.

Through these appointments, academic and scientific expertise informs discussions on national research priorities, research ethics, scientific standards and evidence-informed policymaking. Such participation strengthens the connection between academic research and government decision-making and supports the development of effective and accountable national research institutions.

8. Supporting Climate Change, Environmental and Water Governance

MNU staff participate in government committees and advisory bodies addressing climate change, environmental protection, water resources management and sustainable development.

Their involvement includes participation in Ministry committees, environmental regulatory bodies and national mechanisms such as the Maldives Green Fund Steering Committee.

Through these engagements, MNU contributes scientific and technical perspectives to policy discussions, environmental assessments, resource management and climate adaptation planning.

For the Maldives, where climate change and water security are critical national priorities, such contributions help connect research and scientific knowledge with government policy and decision-making.

9. Strengthening Language, Culture and Heritage Institutions

MNU staff contribute to national institutions responsible for safeguarding and developing Maldivian language, culture and heritage, including the Dhivehi Language Academy and the National Archives Advisory Board.

Through their participation, staff bring academic expertise, historical knowledge and research-informed perspectives to discussions concerning language development, cultural preservation, national identity and heritage management.

These engagements demonstrate the University’s contribution to strengthening national cultural institutions and ensuring that decisions concerning Maldivian language and heritage benefit from academic knowledge and professional expertise.

10. Supporting Education, Quality Assurance and Professional Standards

MNU staff participate in national educational, qualifications and professional advisory bodies, including the Maldives Qualifications Authority and other committees concerned with educational quality, professional standards and institutional development.

Their participation contributes to discussions on qualifications frameworks, recognition of learning, quality assurance and educational policy.

These engagements help strengthen national regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms and support informed, transparent and consistent institutional decision-making.

11. Promoting Inclusive Policies and Social Development

MNU staff also contribute to national committees and advisory bodies concerned with disability inclusion, social development, health and the protection of vulnerable groups.

Through participation in these mechanisms, staff provide professional expertise and research-informed perspectives to policy discussions, technical reviews and the development of inclusive institutional practices.

These contributions support more responsive and participatory approaches to national policymaking.

12. Supporting Public-Sector Governance and Accountability

MNU staff contribute to public-sector governance through participation in national boards, councils and advisory bodies, including institutions responsible for public finance, regulation and institutional oversight.

Reported examples include participation in the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority Board and the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board.

Through such roles, staff contribute professional knowledge and expertise to strategic oversight, regulatory discussions and institutional governance.

13. Connecting University Expertise with National Decision-Making

MNU staff serve in these national bodies in various capacities, including as University representatives, technical experts, professional members, advisors and members of statutory or government-appointed bodies.

Some appointments are made through institutional nomination, while others recognise the individual expertise and professional standing of MNU staff.

Collectively, these engagements demonstrate MNU’s contribution to national governance and its role in connecting academic knowledge with public policy and institutional decision-making.

MNU’s contribution to government extends beyond participation in committees. The University recognises the importance of translating academic expertise into practical advice and recommendations that can support policy development and institutional improvement.

 

View MNU Vice Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam is a member of the current advisory board of MQA.

View Research 

 

Such contributions may include:

MNU seeks to strengthen these contributions by encouraging meaningful engagement between its academic community and public institutions.

 

 

MNU’s provision of academic expertise and evidence-informed advice to government contributes to SDG 16 –

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, particularly:

By contributing research, professional knowledge and independent academic perspectives to public policy discussions, MNU supports informed decision-making, institutional capacity and responsive governance.

 

These contributions reflect MNU’s SDG 16 commitment: