The Faculty of Arts, The Maldives National University (MNU), celebrates the graduation of the first cohort of the Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Management (BA-LIM), marking a significant milestone in the development of higher education and professional training in library and information management in the Maldives. As the first locally developed bachelor’s degree in this field reaches completion, the achievement represents an important step towards strengthening professional capacity within the country’s library and information services sector.

The graduation recognises the perseverance, resilience, and dedication of students who completed the programme while navigating individual circumstances and, in some cases, geographical challenges. Their achievement highlights the importance of providing accessible higher education opportunities for learners across the Maldives, including those facing barriers associated with distance and location.

Throughout the programme, students benefited from academic instruction, practical learning opportunities, and professional internships designed to connect theoretical knowledge with workplace requirements. This combination enabled students to develop relevant knowledge and practical competencies for careers in library and information management.

The successful completion of the first cohort also reflects the contributions of dedicated lecturers, university staff, and partner institutions that supported students throughout their academic journey. Collaboration between the university and professional stakeholders helped connect academic learning with the practical needs of library and information services.

The BA-LIM programme represents an investment in developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting the organisation, management, and accessibility of information resources across the Maldives. Professionally trained library and information management graduates can contribute to the effective delivery of information services in educational institutions, libraries, and other organisations that support learning, research, and public access to information.

The graduation of the first cohort is therefore not only an achievement for the graduates but also a milestone for the continued development of library and information management education in the country. It underscores the value of locally relevant qualifications, lifelong learning, and sustained investment in professional education to meet the evolving information needs of Maldivian communities.

The milestone contributed to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by demonstrating the delivery of a locally developed bachelor’s degree and supporting professional learning; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) insofar as the programme provided equitable educational opportunities to students of different genders; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by preparing graduates with professional knowledge and skills relevant to employment in library and information services; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by highlighting the importance of access to higher education for students facing geographical and other barriers; SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through the development of professional capacity in information services that support access to knowledge and information; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the support of university staff, lecturers, and partner institutions in delivering the programme.