Dr. Mohamed Umar is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Maldives National University (MNU), where he has served since 2012. He holds a PhD in Education from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, a Master of Education from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) from the Maldives College of Higher Education. He previously taught English and Economics at the secondary level and served as Manager of MNU’s Kulhudhuffushi Campus from 2022 to 2023.

Dr. Umar teaches and supervises research in education, with expertise in research methods, critical thinking, artificial intelligence in education, curriculum and pedagogy, language education, philosophy, and teacher education. He has developed postgraduate modules, supervised master’s and doctoral research, and reviewed manuscripts for academic journals and conferences.

His scholarly contributions include publications on curriculum reform, teacher agency, and critical thinking, as well as several funded research and book projects. Among his notable achievements are the Best Paper (Career Researcher) Award at the International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (2023), the MNU Staff Development Scholarship, the AusAID Scholarship, and the President’s Award for academic excellence.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Taylors University, Malaysia, 2021
Master of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia, 2008
Bachelor of Teaching Secondary (English Language & Economics), Maldives College of Higher Education, 2005

Artificial Intelligence in Education, Critical Thinking, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Curriculum Reform, Language Education, Philosophy, Teacher Education

• Umar, M. (2026) “Thangeedhee Visnun: Thabee’athaai Ungannaidhinumaai Vazankurun” {Forthcoming book} – MNU Book Writing Grant, Maldives National University (2023)
• Umar, M. (2024). Thauleemuge Falsafaa. Ministry of Education: Male’. {Forthcoming book} – Maldives LAMP Project Grant, Ministry of Higher Education (2022)

• Fathuhullah Ahmed (s002178) (PhD student/Faculty of Arts/MNU): Dhivehibahuge sukunuge bahavee sifathakaai hama’aai dhauraai onigandu: Ekuvithareegaathuge Hoadhaabelumuge Tharutheebee Farumaain Hadhaa Dhiraasaaeh {Role: Principal supervisor; Status: Ongoing since 1st August 2025}
• Aishath Hassan (s012180) (PhD student/Faculty of Education/MNU): Investigating Changes in Language Teachers’ Perception and Application of Universal Design of Learning in Multi-Grade Classrooms: A Case Study of Maldives {Role: Co-supervisor; Status: Ongoing since August 26, 2024}
• Ashraf Ali (MA student/Faculty of Arts/MNU): The Inflectional Derivative Forms of Connectives in Dhivehi Language {Role: Principal supervisor; Status: Completed from 12th Jan 2015 – 30th June 2015}
• Wajidha Haaroon (BA student/Faculty of Arts/MNU): Cohesive Devices and Strategies in Dhivehi Language Writing Across Different Eras (Role: Principal Supervisor; Status: Completed from 12th Jan 2015 to 30th June 2015).

Assessment and Evaluation, Comparative and International Education, Current Issues in Education, Curriculum Studies, Educational Leadership and Management, Instructional Psychology, Intercultural Communication, Philosophy of Education, Politics of Identity and Culture, Research Methods in Education, Sociology of Education, Teaching and Learning English

• Umar, M. (2023). Improving students’ argumentative writing skills using Toulmin’s Model of Argumentation: An action-research study in a Maldivian secondary school {Research Report}. Tata Institute of Social Sciences: India.
• Waseema, F., Umar, M., Ahmed, M., et al. (2022). Teaching as a Career: Perception, Value, and Choice in the Maldives. The Maldives National University: Male’.
• Umar, M. (2021). Enacting creative and critical thinking competency: A case study of curriculum reform in the Maldives {PhD Thesis}. Malaysia: Taylors University.
• Umar, M. (2019). Teacher agency: Its role and manifestation in curriculum reform in a small island developing state. Improving Schools, 22(1), 20-25.
• Umar, M. (2013). Demystifying international education: Concepts, ideas and ideologies. Maldives National Journal of Research, 1, 57-71.

Reviewer for International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (ICSRI) 2026
Reviewer for Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR) 2025
MNU Kulhudhuffushi Campus Management Committee member 2022 to 2025
External Program Reviewer, Taylors University (since 2021)
Editor, FEHURU (KC Newsletter) – 2022 to 2024

Presented research paper entitled “Improving Argumentative Writing Skills of ESL Students using Toulmin’s Model: An Action-Research in a Maldivian Secondary School” at the International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (2023) held from 17th – 18th June 2023 at Male’, Maldives.

Alumni Representative at Industrial Advisory Panel, Taylors University (Malaysia) since Dec 2021
Alumni Association Member, Melbourne University (Australia) since July 2008

• The “Best Paper (Career Researcher) Award” for the paper entitled “Improving Argumentative Writing Skills of ESL Students using Toulmin’s Model: An Action-Research in a Maldivian Secondary School” at the International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (2023) held from 17th – 18th June 2023 at Male’, Maldives.
• The Maldives National University Staff Development Scholarship (2016) for PhD in Education.
• AusAID scholarship (2007)
• The President’s Award for the First Position in the Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) course at The Maldives College of Higher Education in 2005.

• Conducted a 3-hrs PD workshop on “Teaching Critical Thinking Across Curriculum” for teachers in H.Dh. Atoll Education Centre, on 3rd March 2026.
• Conducted a 3-hrs PD workshop on “Conducting Authentic Assessment in Mainstream Classrooms” for teachers in Jalaluddin School, on 8th March 2026.
• Conducted a 4-hrs workshop on “Critical Thinking for Young Leaders” during Ramazan Extravaganza Program 2025 in Jalaluddin School organized by the Girl Guide Association of Maldives.
• Conducted a 5-hrs PD Seminar on “Teaching and Learning Using Artificial Intelligence” for Teachers of Jalaluddin School, 26th October 2024.
• Conducted a 2-hrs public awareness session on “Enhancing Physical and Mental Fitness” in Hashiheyo Program 2024 organized by Public Health Unit of Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (18th October 2024).
• Conducted PD Seminar on “Teaching and Learning Using Artificial Intelligence” (5hrs) for Teachers of H. Dh. Atoll Education Centre, 29th June 2024.
• Conducted a Parental Awareness Seminar on “Improving Parent-Child Relationship” (8hrs) organized by Women Development Corporation, Bilehfahi Council, 14-15th October 2024.
• Conducted a PD workshop entitled “Conceptualizing Research” (7-hrs) conducted for MNU Staff at Kulhudhuffushi Campus, The Maldives National University, on 25th March 2024.
• Conducted a 2-hrs seminar on “Time Management: Issues, practices, and strategies for effectiveness” at Upper North Regional Police Station In-Charges Symposium 2023 at Maldives Police Station, Kulhudhuffushi, on 25th February 2023.
• Conducted a 3-hours PD workshop on “Classroom management: Practices & Strategies” for teachers in Afeefuddin School on 15th September 2022.
• Conducted a 2-hours research skills workshop on “Preparing a conference paper” for teachers at H.Dh. Atoll Education Centre on 11th August 2022.
• Conducted a 2-hrs parental awareness session on “Developing reading habits in children: Practices and strategies for effective inculcation” at H.Dh. Atoll Education Centre on 22nd June 2022.
• Conducted a 4-hrs PD workshop on “Project-Based Learning” for teachers in H.Dh. Atoll Education Centre on 18th February 2021.
• Completed a PD workshop on “Using AI in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and Digital Education” (5hrs) by Faculty of Education, MNU on 7th August 2025 in K. Thulusdhoo.
• Completed a PD workshop on “Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education: Adapting to the Use of AI by Students” (3-hrs) by Faculty of Education, MNU on 9th August 2025 in MNU.
• Completed a workshop on “Advancing H5P Virtual Tour (360)” (2hrs) organized by Centre for Educational Technology and Excellence (CETE), The Maldives National University – 23rd October 2024.
• Completed “The Shaamilu Isvaarunge Mahaasinthaa: Transformative Leadership for Equity and Inclusion” (14-hrs) conducted by Department of Inclusive Education (Ministry of Education) from 23rd to 25th October 2023.
• Completed staff professional development workshop (4hrs) on “Assessment Validation Process”, conducted online, by Training Development Unit of Maldives National University on 29th August 2021.
• Participated in an Emerald-CIRI certified webinar (3hrs) on “How to get published in high-impact journals: Tips & tricks” conducted by Centre for Industrial Revolution & Innovation (CIRI), Taylors University, Malaysia, on 16th March 2021.
• Developed the module of “Human Development and Learning” for Master of Teaching course at the Faculty of Education, MNU.
• Developed the module of “Comparative and International Education (EST517)” and “Educational Leadership and Management (EST507)” for Master of Education course at the Faculty of Education, MNU.
• Developed the module of “Philosophy of Education (EST401)” for Postgraduate Diploma in Education course (PGDE) at Faculty of Education, MNU.
• Developed study guides for “Philosophy of Education” and “Pedagogy and Practice” modules for PGDE at Faculty of Education, MNU.
• Developed the module of “Intercultural Communication” for Master of Dhivehi Language and Culture at Faculty of Arts, MNU.
• Developed “A Short Course in Critical Reading and Academic Writing Skills” for Faculty of Education in November 2013.
• Proofread Problem-based Learning Science Textbook developed by Live & Learn Environmental Education for the National Institute of Education, Maldives.