Dr. Aishath Shanoora is the dean of Faculty of Health Sciences of the Maldives National University. She is an accomplished academician and psychologist known for her extensive contributions in the fields of psychology, education, and mental health advocacy. With an illustrious academic journey, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Social Psychology from the University Putra Malaysia in 2021. Her educational pursuits also include a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods from Villa College, Maldives, a Masters of Counselling from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Literature from the University of Mysore, India.
Her professional trajectory is marked by a commitment to education and psychology. Dr. Shanoora’s roles at the Maldives National University (MNU) span several capacities, from her tenure as a Lecturer in Psychology at the Faculty of Arts to her current position as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her influence extends beyond academia; she actively serves as a Licensed Counsellor to support individuals’ mental health journeys.
In the realm of research, Dr. Shanoora has spearheaded numerous projects delving into critical societal issues. Her investigations encompass diverse topics, ranging from youth studies and violence against children to socio-economic factors impacting contraceptive use and housing market dynamics. Her findings have been disseminated through multiple publications in esteemed international journals, solidifying her reputation as a prolific researcher. Dr. Shanoora’s dedication has earned her several grants and accolades, particularly for her exceptional work in mental health awareness initiatives and academic accomplishments. Her membership in esteemed councils like the National Health Research Council and subcommittee of Maldives Allied Health Council underscores her commitment to advancing healthcare and research in the Maldives.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Social Psychology), University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, 2021

Post Graduate Diploma in Research Methods, Villa College, Maldives, 2014

Masters of Counselling, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia , 2012

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Literature), University of Mysore, India, 2010

Professional Diploma in Teacher Education, Open University Malaysia 2003

Primary Teaching Certificate (English Medium), Institute for Teacher Education 1991

Mental health, Relationships, marriage, divorce, social psychology

Disengagement of Maldivian Youth: A Public Perception Study
Date- (2022).
Role- Project Team member
Link- https://mnu.edu.mv/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Disengagement-of-Maldivian-Youth.pdf

Risk of violence against children deprived of liberty
Date- 2015
Role- Project Team member

Socio-economic and religious factors that influence contraceptive use
Date- 2015.
Role- Project Team member

Assessment of family planning policy implementation
Date- 2016.
Role- Project Team member

A comprehensive housing market study for the greater Male’ region
Date- 2017
Role- Project Team member
Link- https://mnu.edu.mv/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/A-Comprehensive-housing-market-study-for-the-greater-male-final-24082017-2.pdf

Australian Small Grant Award
Date- 2023
Grant amount- AUD 5000
Project- Mental Health awareness and screening for mental health issues in the people of Thaa Atoll
Role- Fellow

MNU Research Grant-(URG-2022-L-AS05)
Date- 2022
Grant amount – MVR150,000
Project- Exploring the effectiveness of Group Therapy

MNU Book Grant-(UBG-2022-CI-B02)
Date- 2022- 2023
Grant amount – MVR 54,000
A project to make 2 self-help books on anxiety and depression.
Role- Lead

Recipient of Australian Small Grant Award
Australian Small Grant Award
Date 2021
Grant amount – AUD 5000
A project to make a handbook of common mental health disorders in the Maldives
Role- team member.

MNU Research Grant
Date- 2016
Grant amount- MVR 70,000
Research topic “Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlations of Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Among University Students of Maldives” (2016)

MNU Research Grant
Date- 2015
Grant amount- MVR218,300
Push and Pull Factors of Tertiary Institutes of Maldives; A Perception of Maldivian Students

Student name- Nahidha Ismail (completed)
Year- 2022
Course- Master of Public Health
Topic- Prevalence and Factors affecting to help-seeking behavior of mental health in the population

Student Name- Mariyam Anees (completed)
Year- 2025
Course- Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical)
Topic – Validation of the Dhivehi Translation of PHQ-9 in the Maldivian Population

Student Name- Fathimath Faihaa Ameen (ongoing)
Year 2025
Course- Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical)
Topic- Relationship between Emotion Regulation, Attachment styles and Marital Readiness Among Young Adults in Greater Male’ Region

Student Name- Nuzuhath Anees (ongoing)
Year 2026
Course- Doctor of Philosophy (Education)

Psychological Interventions, Psychological Assessments, General Psychology, Social Psychology, Counselling Skills

Nuhaa, M., & Shanoora, A. (2025). Effects of encouragement on cognitive performance of an abstract reasoning task. International Journal of Social Research & Innovation, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.55712/1fjrde90

Shanoora, A., & Saud, U. (2024). Relationship between parenting styles and romantic attachment in adults with gender as a moderating variable. The Maldives National Journal of Research. Vol. 12, Special Issue.

Shanoora, A., Hamsan, H. H., Abdullah, H., & Khir, A. M. (2023). Parent-child attachment and romantic relationship: Is there a relationship between parent-child attachment and young adults’ romantic relationships? Maldives National Journal of Research, (Special Issue), 117-135. https://doi.org/10.62338/hdm20528

Shanoora, A., Nahidha, Nawaza M., & Liyusha, A. (2022). Nafsaanee Raahai I-Haasve Kanboduvumah Eheeeh.

Shanoora, A.,Nahidha, A.,Ibrahim,A,J.,Azza, F., &Nizam, A.M. (2022).Nafsaanee Raahai II- Maayoos Kamuge Balin Araigathumah Eheeeh.

Shanoora, A.,Nahidha, A.,Ibrahim,A,J.,Nawaza, M.,Azza, F.,Nizam, A.M.,& Azla, A. (2021). Nafsaanee Heyhan.

Shanoora, A., Hamsan, H. H., Abdullah, H., & Khir, A. M. (2021). Parental Divorce and Maldivian Young Adult Student’s Romantic Relationship Quality: Indirect Pathways through Attitude towards Divorce. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(11), 106–117.

Shanoora, A., Hamsan, H. H., Abdullah, H., & Khir, A. M. (2020) Which is Worse; Divorce or Conflict? Parental Divorce, Interparental Conflict, and its Impact on Romantic Relationship Quality of Young Dating Adults in the Maldives. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(15), 325–339.

Shanoora, A. & Nawaza, M. (2018). Prevalence and socio-demographic correlations of anxiety, stress, and depression among Undergraduate students of the Maldives National University. Maldives National Journal of Research, 6 (1): 31-46.

Member of Maldives Allied Health Research Council.
Member of Maldives Allied Health Council
Member of the steering committee to develop the National Action Plan for Prevention and Responding to Violence Against Children 2024 – 2028
Member of National AMR Coordination Committee

Member of the scientific Committee for Oevaru Conference 2023 and 2026Member of

Member of Australian Counselling Association – Member Number: IN1575.

Australian Aid fellowship (2025)
Gold Award in Health Professionals (Mental Health) by the Professional and Career Women Awards Maldives (2021)
MNU Scholarship for Doctor of Philosophy in Social Psychology (2018)
Highest Achiever (Top Graduating Student) Award, Post Graduate Diploma in Research Studies, Villa College, Maldives (2014)
Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) Award for Master’s Degree, (2011)
Best Student, Professional Diploma in Teacher Education, Universiti Terbuka, Malaysia. (2003)

Licensed Counsellor at Institute for Mental Wellbeing