Dr. Aminath Zahir is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, Maldives National University, with extensive experience in teaching, research, curriculum development, and academic leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the Maldives National University, a Master’s degree in Dhivehi Language and Culture, and a Bachelor’s degree in Dhivehi Language. Her academic and research interests include Dhivehi language and grammar, sociolinguistics, research methods, Maldivian history, and the relationship between language, culture, politics, and identity.
Dr. Zahir has published research in peer-reviewed journals on Dhivehi language corpus development, language attrition and preservation, intergenerational language transmission, code-switching, and Dhivehi linguistics. She has also contributed to the development of Dhivehi curriculum materials and study guides and has participated in several research projects funded by MNU.
She has served as Head of the Dhivehi Department at the Faculty of Arts and is currently a member of the Dhivehi Grammar Committee of the Dhivehi Language Academy, contributing to the development and advancement of Dhivehi language standards and grammar.
In recognition of her contribution to Dhivehi language scholarship, Dr. Aminath Zahir received Special Presidential Recognition in 2025 for becoming the first Maldivian to earn a Ph.D. in Dhivehi Language (Applied Linguistics). She has also received Outstanding Paper Awards and a Championship Award at the 3-Minute Thesis Competition.

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics, The Maldives National University, 2025

• Dhivehi Language and Grammar
• Sociolinguistics
• Maldivian History
• Politics, Culture, and Identity
– Language policy & planning
– Applied linguistics

Research Projects
Principal Investigator
•Dhivehi Language Children’s Glossary Project. A collaborative project with Dr. Aminath Riyza. Funded through MNU Research Grant 2022. Completion targeted for December 2026

•Do Addu people speak a dialect or their own language? Opinions of the people regarding the status of Addu and standard Dhivehi [Research project]. Maldives National University Research Grant. (2018–2019).

Co-Investigator
•Bilingual and bicultural identity development in adolescents [Research project]. Maldives National University Research Grant. (2015–2016).

– Teacher feedback on student writing in L1 and L2 classrooms [Research project]. Maldives National University Research Grant. (2016–2017).
Role of academic women in the Maldives [Research project]. (2014–2015).

PhD Supervision

Co-Supervisor – PhD Research
PhD Candidate: Mr. Fathuhullah Ahmed
Institution: The Maldives National University (MNU), Faculty of Arts
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Status: Ongoing
Role: Co-Supervisor

• Research Methods
• Dhivehi Language and Grammar
• Maldivian History
• Politics, Culture, and Identity
– intercultural communication

Publications
A. Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (Principal Author)
Zahir, A., & Riyaz, A. (2024). Expanding and updating the Dhivehi language corpus: Challenges and issues. The Maldives National Journal of Research, 12(Special Issue), 99–123. https://doi.org/10.62338/ta60f413

Zahir, A., Riyaz, A., & Moosa, D. (2023). Preserving Dhivehi: Navigating language attrition among Maldivian children – A stakeholder perspective. Maldives National Journal of Research, 11(Special Issue),135-159. https://doi.org/10.62338/rkc6q957

Zahir, A. (2018). Code switching in TV programs. Maldives National Journal of Research., 1(1), 70-84. https://doi.org/10.62338/eh5qwg86

Zahir, A. (2015). Tense and aspect in Dhivehi language: A linguistic analysis. Maldives National Journal of Research, 3(1), 76-9 https://doi.org/10.62338/f989g471

(Zahir, A., & Riyaz, A. English in the Maldives: Effects of Dhivehi Identity & Dhivehi Language Policy, and Currently under publication with MNJR; peer review completed and revisions in progress.)

B. Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (Co-Author)
Riyaz, A., Zahir, A., & Ibrahim, Z. (2025). Language Decay: A Qualitative Study of Challenges in Intergenerational Transmission of Dhivehi. Maldives National Journal of Research, 13(Special Issue), 110-137. https://doi.org/10.62338/qq6xrb95

Riyaz, A., Zahir, A., & Ibrahim, Z. (2023). Unravelling the Forces Behind Language Endangerment: An Overview of Dhivehi Language Loss and Preservation Strategies, 11(2), 89-95. https://doi.org/10.62338/06c3bp97

Maxwell, T. W., Mohamed, M., Mohamed, N., Naseer, B., Nasheeda, A., & Zahir, A. (2015b). Becoming and being academic women: Per¬spectives from the Maldives. Cogent Education, 2. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2015.1121062

Member, Book Grant Committee, Maldives National University (MNU)
Member, Higher Degree Committee, Maldives National University (MNU)
Member, Dhivehi Grammar Committee, Dhivehi Language Academy (Dhivehi Bahuge Academy)

Evaluator, International Conference on Intellectual Advancement (ICIA), Islamic University of Maldives, Malé, Maldives — 2019, 2025.
Moderator, Theveli International Conference 2026, Maldives National University (MNU), Malé, Maldives — 2026.

Maldives National University (MNU) – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts

Awards, Honours and Recognitions
– Special Presidential Recognition (2025) – Awarded by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, in recognition of becoming the first Maldivian to earn a PhD in Dhivehi Language (Applied Linguistics).
– Outstanding Paper Award (2024) – 7th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, Maldives National University (MNU).
– Outstanding Paper Award (2023) – 6th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, Maldives National University (MNU).
– Championship Award (2023) – 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, Reveli 2023, Islamic University of Maldives.

– Member, Dhivehi Language Grammar Committee (Dhivehi Bahuge Gavaaiedhu Committee), Dhivehi Language Academy — 2022–2024; continuing in 2026–present.
– History Session Facilitator, National Archives Day Programme — May 2026.
– Facilitator, Communication Skills Training Workshop, Public Service Media (PSM) — June 2026.
– Professional Trainer, Professional Development and Training Programmes for School Teachers.
Co-author, Dhivehi School Textbooks, National Institute of Education (NIE), Ministry of Education — 2016, 2018, and 2025.