The Faculty of Arts, The Maldives National University (MNU), celebrates a significant milestone with Dr Aminath Zahir becoming its first PhD graduate, following the successful completion of her doctoral research in Dhivehi Language. This achievement marks an important development in higher education, linguistic scholarship, and the advancement of academic research in the national language of the Maldives.

Dr Aminath Zahir’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as her doctoral studies were completed while she continued her full-time teaching responsibilities. Her academic journey demonstrates the value of opportunities for advanced education that enable professionals to pursue research and academic development alongside their careers.

The doctoral thesis represents a significant contribution to Dhivehi-language scholarship, being the first doctoral thesis written in Dhivehi and the first PhD research on the Dhivehi language undertaken by a local scholar, as described in the research milestone. By conducting doctoral research in the national language, Dr Zahir has helped strengthen the place of Dhivehi within advanced academic study and research.

Her research also contributes to the documentation, development, and continued transmission of Dhivehi language and cultural knowledge. Advancing scholarly work in Dhivehi creates opportunities to deepen understanding of the language and supports its continued use as a medium for academic inquiry, knowledge production, and cultural expression.

The thesis was supervised by Dr Aminath Riyaz, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts, MNU, as Principal Supervisor, with Dr Dheeba Moosa of the Islamic University of Maldives serving as Co-supervisor. Their involvement reflects the role of academic supervision and collaboration in supporting doctoral research and developing research capacity within Maldivian higher education.

Dr Aminath Zahir’s graduation is an important milestone for the Faculty of Arts and for the development of Dhivehi-language scholarship in the Maldives. It highlights the value of supporting advanced research, strengthening local academic expertise, and creating opportunities for scholars to contribute to the documentation and preservation of the nation’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

This achievement contributed to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by advancing doctoral-level research and strengthening local research capacity; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by recognising a woman scholar’s achievement in advanced education, with broader gender-equality impact dependent on evidence of equitable opportunities and participation; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by demonstrating a pathway for professional development alongside full-time employment; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) insofar as the achievement supports wider recognition of Dhivehi as a language of advanced academic research; and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by contributing to the documentation and continued preservation of Maldivian linguistic and cultural heritage.