Dr. Aishath Ali is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the Maldives National University (MNU) with over 25 years of experience in education. She has served in several senior leadership positions, including Minister of Education and Registrar of the Maldives National University.

Dr. Aishath’s doctoral research examined the evolution of education policy in the Maldives over a span of 115 years and was subsequently published as a book. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in teaching, teacher education, and postgraduate supervision.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy, The Maldives National University, Male, Maldives, 2018
Master of Education Management, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 2008
Bachelor of Science Major in Biology and Chemistry, Suva, Fiji, 2004
National Diploma of Secondary Teaching Major in Biology & Chemistry, Maldives College of Higher Education, Male, Maldives, 1999

Education policy and policy processes
Teacher education and professional development
Educational leadership and management
Higher education teaching and learning
Small island education systems
Adolescent issues
History of education

Evaluating the Impact of the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE) on Teaching Practices at the Maldives National University
Research registration number: RR/2026/17

Ongoing supervision:
PhD student: Research Title: Teachers’ Enactment of Key Competencies Across All Key Stages in Maldivian Schools: Continuities, Variations and Contextual Conditions

6 Capstone projects (PGDHE students)

Completed:
Masters: 20 students since 2024 Term 1
PGDHE: 22 students since 2024 Term 1

Education Policy: Theory & Practices
Research Methods
Adolescent Issues
Pedagogy in Higher Education
Capstone Project
Masters Project

Books
Thauleemee Siyaasath: Nazariyyaa aai Amalu
Ali, A. (2018). Thauleemee Siyaasath: Nazariyyaa aai Amalu.

Ali, A. (2021). Education in the Maldives: 1900–2015: Policies, Theories and Outcomes.

Book Chapter
Di Biase, R., Spratt, R., Abdul Raheem, M. A., Ali, A., Raiula, T., Paulsen, I. K., Ali, S. S., & Ahmed, Z. (2025). Greening Island Schools: A Multi-Pronged Approach Across the Indo-Pacific Region. In Navigating Learning, Culture, and Identity in Island Education (pp. 129–166). IGI Global.

Journal Articles
Ali, A. (2013). Maldivian Secondary Teachers’ Reflections on Their First Year of Teaching: Enabling Factors, Perceived Problems and Proposed Solutions. Maldives National Journal of Research.

Suhail, A., & Ali, A. (2025). Perceptions of Graduate Attribute Acquisition Among Physiotherapy Undergraduates at the Maldives National University. Maldives National Journal of Research.

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