Ms. Zeenath Shakir is a Lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences at the Faculty of Health Sciences, The Maldives National University. She is primarily teaching Bachelor of Social Work and Advanced Certificate in Social Services Work courses. She engages in diverse roles such as serving as a member of the MNU Research Ethics Committee and Faculty Quality Management Committee, Faculty Curriculum Committee and the Academic Review Committee.
Prior to joining the FHS full-time, she has worked as a part-time lecturer since 2013. She has extensive experience in social service sector for over 12 years working as a social service case worker, management of projects related to gender, child rights and disability and advocate for prevention of gender-based violence and domestic violence. She is a proactive member in voluntary organisations such as the Maldivian Red Crescent, Hope for Women and Maldives Australia Alumni.
Zeenath pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (First Class Honours) from UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur and Master of Development Studies from The University of Melbourne, Australia. She is an alumnus of Faculty of Health Sciences by graduating with the second cohort of Advanced Certificate in Counselling. She has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Studies from Villa College, Maldives, and Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from The Maldives National University.

Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, The Maldives National University, 2024
Postgraduate Certificate in Research Studies, The Maldives National University, 2021
Master of Development Studies, The University of Melbourne, Australia, 2016
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (First Class Honours) from UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2012
Advanced Certificate in Counselling, Maldives College of Higher Education, 2006

o Sustainable community development
o Gender and social inclusion
o Psychosocial support and mental health
o Community-based social services

? 2026 – A Process Reflection on the Development of “Vilun”: a Narrative-Based Book on Substance Use Recovery in a Small Community Context, paper presented at Oevaru, Mental Health Conference 2026 organised by Centre for Mental Health, IGMH – Research Team Member [No funding agency]
? 2025 – Action Research on Scenario-Based Learning for Advanced Certificate Social Work Students at The Maldives National University, presented at MNU Theveli 2025 [No funding agency]
? 2025 – Exploring Experiences of Positive Thinking Practices among Social Work Students at The Maldives National University, paper presented at International Conference Towards Building a Positively Responding Society and Nation, organised by Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India [No funding agency]
? 2023 – Mental Health Education in Curricula of The Maldives National University poster presented at Oevaru, Mental Health Conference 2023 hosted by Centre for Mental Health, IGMH [No funding agency]
? 2022 – Disengagement of Maldivian Youth: A Public Perception Study, research conducted by Research Development Office, MNU for Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment – Research Team Member [Funding agency: Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment]

? 2025 – Investigating the Role of Gender and Gender Role Beliefs on Active-Empathic Listening among Young Adults in Maldives by Aishath Razan Asif, Bachelor of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Maldives National University
? 2024 – The Role of Gender in Leadership Behaviour: A Maldivian Youth Perspective by Khadheejath Lauza Hassan, Bachelor of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Maldives National University
? 2022 – Factors affecting quality of rehabilitation services by National Drug Agency’s counsellors by Maryam Shama Naseer, Master of Arts in Social Policy, Faculty of Arts, The Maldives National University
? 2022 – The perception and attitude towards domestic violence on men among youth between the ages of 18-34 years in Male’ Maldives by Aminath Shadha, Master of Arts in Social Policy, Faculty of Arts, The Maldives National University

o Social work assessment and interventions
o Child protection and gender-based violence prevention
o Youth and family wellbeing
o Community engagement

N/A

MNU Research Ethics Committee
and Faculty Quality Management Committee
Faculty Curriculum Committee
Academic Review Committee

? 2026 – A Process Reflection on the Development of “Vilun”: a Narrative-Based Book on Substance Use Recovery in a Small Community Context, paper presented at Oevaru, Mental Health Conference 2026 organised by Centre for Mental Health, IGMH – Research Team Member
? 2025 – Action Research on Scenario-Based Learning for Advanced Certificate Social Work Students at The Maldives National University, presented at MNU Theveli 2025
? 2025 – Exploring Experiences of Positive Thinking Practices among Social Work Students at The Maldives National University, paper presented at International Conference Towards Building a Positively Responding Society and Nation, organised by Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
? 2023 – Mental Health Education in Curricula of The Maldives National University poster presented at Oevaru, Mental Health Conference 2023 hosted by Centre for Mental Health, IGMH

N/A

N/A

? 2025 – Inclusive Psychosocial Support Training for GDH. Thinadhoo Community Volunteers, in collaboration with MNU GDH. Thinadhoo Campus and Maldivian Red Crescent, supported by Australia Awards Small Grants, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
? 2023 – Capacity Building of Special Education Needs (SEN) Teachers at Community Level, in collaboration with Kulhelama Therapy, supported by Australia Awards Small Grants, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
? 2022 – Building Resilient Communities to Address Child Abuse and Gender-Based Violence, supported by Australia Awards Small Grants, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)