Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer, Dean of Research, highlighted the significance of the name Theveli, describing it as “an exquisite Dhivehi word referring to the golden and silver hues reflected upon the ocean’s surface during the rising and setting of the sun and moon.”
She noted that, in the same spirit, the conference serves as “a luminous beacon, illuminating ideas and fostering connections among researchers at both national and international levels.”
The conference has received an overwhelming response, with 364 research papers submitted, of which 208 were accepted, while 435 participants and presenters have registered. Its growing international reach is reflected in 70 papers submitted from 23 countries and territories across five continents. Due to the high level of interest and limited capacity, registration was closed ahead of schedule.
Dr. Shahuneeza also highlighted the conference’s 11 multidisciplinary sub-themes, covering a wide range of research fields. Building on its introduction last year, the conference has once again dedicated a full day to the Undergraduate Student Research Symposium, providing students with an opportunity to present and engage with research.
The conference will also recognise academic excellence through the Outstanding Paper Award, Undergraduate Research Excellence Award, and Best Faculty Award.
A distinguished lineup of keynote speakers will further enrich the conference programme, with sessions focusing on artificial intelligence literacy in higher education, transformative innovation amid global uncertainty, reframing science and technology for innovation, and bioremediation in extreme and tropical environments. Dr. Hassan Shafeeq will also deliver a keynote address as part of the programme.
Through its diverse research presentations, keynote sessions, student symposium, and academic awards, the 9th Theveli International Conference continues to strengthen MNU’s role in advancing research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration at both national and international levels.
