The Maldives National University (MNU) has officially inaugurated the 9th Theveli International Conference, held under the theme “Transformative Innovation in the 21st Century: Science, Technology, and Society.” The opening ceremony was attended by the First Lady of the Maldives, Madam Sajidha Mohamed, along with Cabinet Ministers, MNU senior leadership, Council members, distinguished national and international delegates, keynote speakers, and researchers.

The conference highlights the growing importance of research and innovation in addressing contemporary societal challenges. This year, Theveli received 364 research submissions, with 208 papers accepted from researchers representing 23 countries across five continents, reflecting the conference’s expanding international reach.

Theveli 2026 features 11 multidisciplinary sub-themes, covering a wide range of research areas, and includes a dedicated Undergraduate Student Research Symposium to provide emerging researchers with an opportunity to present their work and engage with academics.

The conference brings together prominent international and national keynote speakers, including Dr. Sean McMinn, Professor Dr. Mohammed Mizan Aslam, Professor Alistair Jones, Associate Professor Dr. Sathi Aqeela Ahmed, and Dr. Hassan Shafeeu. Research excellence will also be recognised through the Outstanding Paper Award and Best Faculty Award.

Through Theveli 2026, MNU continues to strengthen its role as a platform for research, knowledge exchange, innovation, and international academic collaboration, supporting the advancement of science, technology, and society in the Maldives and beyond.