The Maldives National University (MNU) has awarded a total of MVR 1,414,193 through the University Research Grants (URG) and University Book Writing Grants (UBWG) 2026 Call 1, strengthening the University’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, knowledge exchange and measurable societal impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development priorities.

The URG 2026 Call 1 received a strong competitive response, with 19 research proposals submitted by MNU staff and students. Following a rigorous, transparent and merit-based peer review process, 12 proposals were identified as highly meritorious and selected for funding, with a total allocation of MVR 1,298,693.

The UBWG 2026 Call 1 received four competitive proposals, of which two projects were selected for funding following the same rigorous peer review process. A total of MVR 115,500 has been allocated to support the development of scholarly and educational resources that contribute to knowledge creation, cultural preservation and education for sustainable development.

Together, the awarded projects demonstrate MNU’s growing contribution to SDG-focused research, interdisciplinary collaboration, international research partnerships, research capacity building, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, community engagement, innovation and evidence-informed decision-making. The projects address critical national and global development challenges across health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, decent work and economic growth, innovation, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, inclusive governance and cultural heritage.

The awarded research projects also demonstrate strong cross-sector and international collaboration, with research teams involving international universities, healthcare institutions, research organisations, government agencies and other external partners. These partnerships strengthen research capacity, facilitate knowledge exchange and create pathways for translating research evidence into policy, professional practice and community impact, directly contributing to SDG Goal 17.

The URG and UBWG programmes are designed to support research and knowledge creation that generate meaningful societal impact and strengthen national research capacity. Through these investments, MNU continues to build pathways from research and innovation to evidence, policy, practice and sustainable development, supporting the University’s role in addressing national priorities and contributing to the SDGs.

The University Research Grants 2026 Call 1 awarded projects are as follows:

1. Power, Leadership, and Isolation: Understanding Women’s Experiences in Maldivian Resorts

SDG Goal(s): 5, 10, 16, 17

Focus: gender equality, women’s empowerment, leadership inclusion, workplace equity, social inclusion, organisational culture, institutional accountability, inclusive governance, access to opportunities, stakeholder engagement, evidence-based policy and sustainable workplace practices.

• Principal Investigator: Aishath Leeza, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Dr Shamala Kumar, Purdue University, USA; Dr Sarath S. Kodithuwakku, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Ahmed Shathir, The Maldives National University; Nuha Ismail Fulhu, The Maldives National University.

2. Preceptorship Readiness Assessment among Maldivian Medical Laboratory Science Professionals: A Precursor Study for Clinical Mentorship in MLS Education

SDG Goal(s): 3, 4, 17

Focus: clinical education, mentorship, competency-based training, professional learning, workforce preparedness, experiential learning, skills development, healthcare education quality, research capacity building, clinical practice and collaborative partnerships.

• Principal Investigator: Aishath Maharath, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Fathimath Shiranee; Aishath Majidha Hassan; Fathimath Zimna; Aishath Mazuda, The Maldives National University.

3. Development of a Context-Specific Framework for Community Health Nursing in the Maldives

SDG Goal(s): 3, 4, 17

Focus: community health, primary healthcare, health equity, healthcare access, nursing education, competency development, workforce capacity building, evidence-based practice, community engagement, health systems strengthening and sustainable healthcare delivery.

• Principal Investigator: Aminath Shafiya, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Dr Asiya Ibrahim; Dr Salma Hassan; Aminath Shiuna; Aminath Nahooda; Mariyam Rasheeda; Fathimath Khumaira, The Maldives National University.

4. Developing AI-Driven Learning Profiles and Career Pathway Models for Personalised Higher Education in the Maldives

SDG Goal(s): 4, 8, 9, 17

Focus: artificial intelligence, personalised learning, digital innovation, student success, data-informed education, competency development, career readiness, future skills, higher education transformation, industry-academia collaboration and sustainable workforce development.

• Principal Investigator: Dr Ali Fawaz Shareef, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigator: Dr Fathimath Shougee, The Maldives National University.

5. World Values Survey Wave 8 (WVS-8)

SDG Goal(s): 10, 16, 17

Focus: social inclusion, inequality measurement, social attitudes, values and beliefs, citizenship, cultural diversity, social trust, community participation, inclusive governance, comparative research, international collaboration and evidence-informed policymaking.

• Principal Investigator: Dr Aminath Riyaz, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Dr Raheema Abdul Raheem; Dr Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer; Dr Sheena Moosa; Aishath Hassan, The Maldives National University.

6. Exploring Diversity, Richness and Functional Roles of Terrestrial Invertebrates Across Contrasting Island Ecosystems of the Maldives

SDG Goal(s): 13, 15, 17

Focus: terrestrial biodiversity, ecosystem health, species conservation, ecological assessment, climate resilience, habitat conservation, nature-based solutions, environmental monitoring, island ecosystem management, scientific collaboration and sustainable ecosystem management.

• Principal Investigator: Dr Faruhana Abdulla, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigator: Hana Amir, Bangor University, United Kingdom.

7. Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Prescribing and Resistance Patterns in Hospitals Across the Maldives: A Patient-Based Point Prevalence Study

SDG Goal(s): 3, 9, 17

Focus: antimicrobial resistance, healthcare-associated infections, patient safety, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, public health surveillance, healthcare quality improvement, health systems strengthening, evidence-based healthcare, laboratory capacity, healthcare innovation and international collaboration.

• Principal Investigator: Fathimath Zimna, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Dr Heather Lawson; Joseph Brayson; Dr Seema Umar; Dr Alexander James Martin; Dr Suryabrata Benerjee, United Kingdom; Aishath Maharath; Aishath Majidha Hassan; Fathimath Shiranee; Aishath Mazuda; Khadija Abdulrahman Hussein, The Maldives National University; Ahmed Ziyad, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital; Uza Thasleema Usman, Ministry of Health; Dr Nazla Musthafa Luthfee, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

8. Enhancing Financial Management Among SMEs in the Maldives: Challenges, Digital Adoption and Policy Pathways for Sustainable Business Growth

SDG Goal(s): 8, 9, 17

Focus: SME sustainability, financial resilience, digital transformation, digital financial adoption, entrepreneurial capacity, business innovation, inclusive economic growth, technology-enabled enterprises, sustainable entrepreneurship, policy development and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• Principal Investigator: Nuha Ismail Fulhu, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Aishath Leeza, The Maldives National University; Ahmed Anwar.

9. From Awareness to Action: Assessing Community Readiness for Palliative Care Services in the Maldives Using the Community Readiness Model

SDG Goal(s): 3, 10, 17

Focus: palliative care, community health, equitable access to healthcare, patient dignity, supportive care, health literacy, community readiness, community engagement, healthcare capacity building, social inclusion, evidence-based health planning and multisectoral collaboration.

• Principal Investigator: Saadhath Moosa, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Agleema Ahmed; Aishath Sharuwath Ilyas; Fathimath Haleem; Fathimath Khumaira; Khadheeja Shakir; Mariyam Hudha; Mariyam Rasheeda; Thasneem Ahmed, The Maldives National University.

10. Public Sector Service Delivery for the Deaf Community: A Mixed-Methods Study of Accessibility, Inclusion and Communication Effectiveness in the Maldives

SDG Goal(s): 10, 16, 17

Focus: disability inclusion, accessible public services, communication accessibility, social equity, inclusive governance, public service inclusion, Deaf awareness, participatory research, policy implementation, institutional capacity, community engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

• Principal Investigator: Saeed Athhar, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Hasma Waheed; Fathimath Minna; Aishath Rihula, The Maldives National University.

11. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pharmacy Professionals in the Greater Malé Area Regarding Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting

SDG Goal(s): 3, 4, 17

Focus: pharmacovigilance, drug safety, adverse drug reaction reporting, healthcare professional training, competency development, medication safety, patient-centred care, health systems strengthening, lifelong learning, evidence-based healthcare and knowledge exchange.

• Principal Investigator: Salna Susan Abraham, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Ibrahim Adam; Ruben Singh Rajappan; Khadija Abdulrahman Hussain, The Maldives National University; Binuja Surekha Surendran, The Dale View College of Pharmacy and Research Centre, India.

12. Empowering Caregivers to Improve Quality and Dignity of Care for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

SDG Goal(s): 3, 5, 10, 17

Focus: caregiver empowerment, healthy ageing, cognitive health, person-centred care, caregiver training, quality of life, dignified care, healthcare capacity building, social inclusion, community-based support and collaborative partnerships.

• Principal Investigator: Sizna Mohamed, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators: Aminath Nahooda; Aminath Shiuna; Zeenaz Fahmee, The Maldives National University.

The University Book Writing Grants 2026 Call 1 awarded projects are:

1. Maldivian Cuisine: A Hands-on Guide

SDG Goal(s): 3, 11, 12, 14, 17

Focus: culinary heritage, traditional knowledge preservation, sustainable food practices, responsible consumption, sustainable fisheries, healthy nutrition, cultural identity, culinary education, food entrepreneurship, local livelihoods and knowledge exchange.

• Primary Author: Aminath Shaanee, The Maldives National University
• Co-Author: Aishath Sobaha Hussain, The Maldives National University.

2. ESDGC for Primary Schools Teacher Resource Book

SDG Goal(s): 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Focus: education for sustainable development, global citizenship education, sustainability literacy, teacher capacity building, environmental education, climate action, responsible consumption, biodiversity conservation, ocean literacy, inclusive education, active citizenship and collaborative learning.

• Primary Author: Fathimath Nasiha Abdul Muhaimin, The Maldives National University
• Co-Authors: Dr Fathimath Shafeega, Dhivehi Rajjege Israhvehinge Jamiyya; Dr Aminath Shiyama, The Maldives National University.

Through the 2026 Call 1 awards, MNU is further strengthening its research ecosystem by investing in high-quality research, interdisciplinary collaboration, international partnerships, community engagement, innovation, knowledge transfer and evidence-based solutions. The awards reinforce the University’s commitment to generating research that contributes not only to academic advancement, but also to measurable societal impact, national development, sustainable development and progress towards the SDGs.

By supporting research and knowledge creation across diverse disciplines and connecting researchers with communities, government, industry, healthcare institutions and international partners, MNU continues to advance its role as a research-intensive, innovation-driven and socially responsive national university, contributing to sustainable development in the Maldives and beyond.