The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), The Maldives National University (MNU) marked Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2025 with a series of activities that brought students and staff together to celebrate the medical laboratory profession while promoting practical learning, creativity and community engagement.

A highlight of the celebrations was “The Living Canvas” – Bacterial Agar Art Competition, held on 20 April 2025 for MNU staff and students. The competition provided participants with an opportunity to combine scientific knowledge and artistic expression by creating designs using bacterial cultures grown on agar plates.

The activity involved 70 participants, including 50 students and 20 staff members, and emphasised good laboratory practices. Participants were required to maintain appropriate aseptic techniques and practise safe handling of specimens throughout the activity. By integrating creativity with microbiological techniques, the competition provided an engaging learning experience while reinforcing principles essential to safe, responsible laboratory practice.

The activity also provided students with an opportunity to apply knowledge in a practical setting beyond conventional laboratory exercises. The creative format helped reinforce the importance of contamination prevention, aseptic practice and safe specimen handling in a memorable and interactive way.

The week concluded with BMLS Night on 30 April 2025, organised by Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) students for students and lecturers in Medical Laboratory Science. The event brought together 65 participants, comprising 60 students and five staff members, for a programme of fun and interactive activities.

Beyond the celebration itself, BMLS Night provided an opportunity for students and lecturers to interact in an informal setting, fostering stronger relationships within the Medical Laboratory Science community. The event also recognised the dedication, creativity and contribution of students who played an active role in organising the Medical Laboratory Professionals Week activities.

Together, the activities demonstrated the Faculty’s approach to creating opportunities that complement formal academic learning with practical experience, teamwork and meaningful engagement. They also supported Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through activities connected to health and laboratory practice, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through experiential and student-centred learning.

Through initiatives such as these, FHS continues to provide opportunities for students to develop professional awareness, practical skills and collaborative abilities alongside their academic education in Medical Laboratory Science.