The Maldives National University and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru have formalized a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that redefines private-academic collaboration in marine conservation. This partnership merges the resources of a world-class luxury eco-resort with the academic excellence of the nation’s leading university, creating a living laboratory in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Vice Chancellor Dr. Aishath Shehenaz Adam officiated the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Maldives National University during a formal ceremony held at the central campus in Malé. Elias Pertoft, General Manager of the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, officiated the MoU on behalf of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
The collaboration transforms Banyan Tree’s expansive house reef and surrounding lagoon into an unparalleled research hub. MNU students and faculty gain direct access to diverse and pristine marine ecosystems, enabling immersive, field-based studies in real-world conditions.
Joint research initiatives are strategically designed to address the Maldives’ most pressing conservation challenges. These include coral reef health monitoring to evaluate resilience against bleaching events and longitudinal population studies of megafauna such as reef sharks and sea turtles. By co-designing research questions, both partners ensure that the science directly informs the resort’s conservation management strategies, delivering immediate, practical impact alongside long-term ecological insights.
The partnership goes beyond research. Through the Banyan Tree Marine Lab, MNU students are offered professional internships and hands-on training in scientific diving, ecological monitoring, and conservation techniques under the guidance of resident marine biologists. This invaluable experience equips the next generation of Maldivian marine scientists with the skills and confidence to lead the country’s conservation efforts into the future.
Through this groundbreaking partnership, Banyan Tree Maldives and MNU are setting a regional precedent for sustainable, mutually beneficial collaborations between the private sector and academia, demonstrating how eco-tourism can directly contribute to the advancement of science, education, and conservation in the Maldives.
