Ismail Shiyar is a lecturer, researcher, trainer, and licensed Psychological Associate with extensive experience in higher education, human resource management, and the Maldivian hospitality and tourism industry. He currently serves as a Lecturer at The Maldives National University, teaching strategic management, applied research, human resource management, and study skills. He has over 15 years of professional experience in human resources and more than 10 years of experience in teaching and research.

He is an Australia Awards Scholar and received the Best Paper Award at the Theveli Research Conference 2025. His other achievements include the Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence, the College Medal and Eve Clinic Prize, an MNU Research Grant, and an Academic Excellence Award from Southern Cross University.

He is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Cyberjaya through Villa College. He holds a Master’s degree in International Tourism and Hotel Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Cross University, Australia, a Bachelor of Psychology from Villa College, and a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Tourism Management and Engineering from the University of Toulouse, France, completed through Taylor’s University, Malaysia. His expertise includes psychology, human resource management, employee relations, hospitality education, workforce development, and applied research. He has published research on workforce localisation, human resource management, student well-being, and psychological capital.

Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia / Villa College, Male, Maldives, 2027

Bachelor of Psychology, Villa College, Male’, Maldives 2024

Master of International Tourism and Hotel Management, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia, 2021

Master of Business Administration, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia, 2021

Postgraduate Certificate in Research Studies, Villa College, Male’, Maldives, 2018

Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management and Engineering (Honours) (Licence Geographie – Management et Ingeniere des Industries du Tourisme), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France / Taylor’s University, Malaysia, 2010

Graduate employability and workforce readiness
Human resource management and employee relations
Workforce localisation in the hospitality and tourism industry
Hospitality and tourism education
Clinical psychology and mental health
Adult attachment and psychotherapy readiness
Emotion regulation
Psychological capital, well-being, and student engagement

Workforce Localization in the Resort Sector of the Maldives — Principal researcher; funded by The Maldives National University Research Grant; completed in 2023.

Nil

Applied research and research methodology
Human resource management
Strategic management
Study skills and academic development
Graduate employability and career preparedness
Hospitality and tourism management
Organisational behaviour and employee relations
Psychology and mental health education

Influence of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) on Student Engagement (SE) among Students at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, The Maldives National University. Maldives National Journal of Research, 2026.

Managerial and Operative Challenges of Human Resource Management in the Guesthouse Sector of the Maldives. Maldives National Journal of Research, Theveli Special Edition, 2025.

Workforce Localization in the Resort Sector of the Maldives. Maldives National Journal of Research, 2023.

Member, Advisory Committee, The Maldives National University — 2026–Present

Industry Relations and Partnerships Coordinator, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2021 – Present

Member, Management Committee, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2024–2025

Member, Academic Senate, The Maldives National University — 2022–2024

Member, Academic Review Committee, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2016–2020

Member, Curriculum Committee, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2016–2020
Programme Coordinator, Diploma Programmes, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2016–2018

Member, Management Committee, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies — 2016–2018

Nil

Graduate Member, British Psychological Society (GMBPsS), United Kingdom

Licensed Psychological Associate, Maldives Allied Health Council

Academic Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Academic MCIPD), United Kingdom

Professional Member, Australian Human Resources Institute (MAHRI), Australia

Australia Awards Scholarship, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — 2020

Best Paper Award, Theveli Research Conference — 2025

Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence — 2025

College Medal and Eve Clinic Prize for Academic Excellence in Psychology — 2025

Book Prize for graduating with First Class/Distinction — 2026

Academic Excellence Award, Southern Cross University — 2020

Research Grant Award, The Maldives National University

Manager of the Year, One&Only Reethi Rah — 2013

Manager of the Quarter, One&Only Reethi Rah — 2012

Facilitated a series of psychoeducational well-being workshops for students and employees of hospitality industry

Delivered workshops covering:
Understanding Stress, Anxiety, and the Mind–Body Connection
Healthy Coping versus Hidden Harm
Managing Overthinking and Rumination
Emotional Awareness and Regulation Skills
Sleep, Stress, and Mental Health
Recognising When Stress Requires Professional Support
Building Psychological Resilience
Self-Compassion and Mental Well-Being
Digital Stress, Well-Being, and Information Overload
Developing a Personal Stress and Well-Being Plan
Provides students and employees with practical, evidence-informed strategies for managing stress, strengthening coping skills, improving emotional awareness, and recognising when professional support may be required.

Facilitates university–industry partnerships, internships, workshops, guest lectures, and institutional collaborations as Industry Relations and Partnerships Coordinator at MNU-FHTS.

Provides academic supervision, research guidance, career-development support, and employability mentoring to university students.