The Faculty of Arts at The Maldives National University (MNU) has commenced a new first-year cohort of the Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Management (BA-LIM), reaffirming its commitment to developing professional expertise in library and information services in the Maldives.

Although the intake was smaller than the original target, approval was granted for the cohort to proceed, ensuring that aspiring students could begin their studies without unnecessarily delaying their academic progression. This decision reflects the importance of maintaining educational opportunities for students seeking to enter the library and information management profession.

The programme is designed to develop the knowledge and skills required for professional practice in library and information services. By preparing students to work with information resources and support access to knowledge, the programme contributes to developing the human capacity needed by libraries and related information services in the Maldives.

The new cohort will follow a flexible learning arrangement alongside Diploma-level students, supporting the efficient use of teaching and learning resources. This arrangement also creates opportunities for interaction and peer learning among students at different stages of their academic development, encouraging knowledge-sharing and professional growth.

The commencement of the cohort highlights the Faculty of Arts’ commitment to supporting student progression while contributing to the development of a skilled library and information services workforce. The initiative contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by sustaining access to higher education and supporting academic progression; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by developing professional skills relevant to the library and information services sector; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by preserving educational opportunities for aspiring students despite lower-than-target enrolment; and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through the programme’s contribution to developing information professionals who can support access to knowledge and information services.