Students from R. Alifushi School Experience MNU in a Day of Discovery and Inspiration

27 June 2026 | Malé, Maldives

A group of students from R. Alifushi School visited The Maldives National University (MNU) on 27 June 2026 for an enriching one-day educational trip — gaining first-hand insight into university life, academic pathways, and the breadth of opportunities that await them in higher education. The visit offered students a rare and immersive look into MNU’s academic environment, state-of-the-art facilities, and the vibrant student culture that defines life at the Maldives’ national university.

A Front-Row Seat at Fathuru Vaahaka

One of the highlights of the visit was the students’ participation in Fathuru Vaahaka: the inaugural edition of a new tourism dialogue series organised entirely by students of the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (BIHM) and Bachelor of International Tourism Management (BITM) programmes at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS).

The dialogue, held under the theme “Tourism in Turbulence: Global Shocks and the Future of Travel Trade in the Maldives,” gave the visiting students an inspiring glimpse of what university students are capable of from organising a professional industry event to engaging with policymakers, tourism professionals, and academics at a high level. For many of the school students, witnessing their university peers lead and manage a real-world industry event was as educational as it was motivating.

Career Guidance: Mapping the Road Ahead

Prior to the faculty tours, a dedicated career guidance session was held for the visiting students. The session introduced them to MNU’s diverse range of academic programmes and helped them begin thinking about their future educational and career pathways.

Students were guided through the options available across MNU’s faculties and centres, with practical advice on how to align their interests, strengths, and ambitions with the right programme of study. The session provided a structured and encouraging space for students to ask questions, explore possibilities, and envision their futures with greater clarity and confidence.

Exploring MNU: Faculty Visits and Facility Tours

Following the career guidance session, students embarked on a guided tour of MNU’s faculties and facilities — experiencing the university’s academic breadth and world-class infrastructure first-hand.

Their tour included visits to:

Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS): including professional-grade hospitality kitchens where students train in culinary arts and food service management
School of Medicine: where visiting students explored cutting-edge medicine laboratories and gained insight into medical education in the Maldives
Faculty of Arts: including creative studios equipped for disciplines in design, communication, and the arts
Faculty of Education: learning about pathways into teaching and educational leadership
Centre for Maritime Studies: discovering programmes that support the Maldives’ blue economy and maritime sector

Across each stop, MNU students and staff welcomed their young visitors warmly, sharing their experiences and demonstrating what learning looks like at the university level. The facilities — from state-of-the-art science laboratories and medicine labs to creative studios and hospitality kitchens — left a vivid and lasting impression on the visiting school students.

An Experience That Inspires

The visit to MNU offered the students of R. Alifushi School far more than a tour. It gave them a genuine sense of the possibilities that higher education opens up and a clearer picture of the university where many of them may one day study.

MNU remains committed to engaging with schools and communities across the Maldives, helping young people make informed decisions about their futures and inspiring the next generation of graduates, professionals, and leaders. The University looks forward to welcoming more school groups in the months ahead and to continuing its role as a bridge between secondary education and the world of higher learning.

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

This visit reflects MNU’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

SDG 4: Quality Education – by providing school students with meaningful exposure to higher education pathways, academic programmes, and university life, supporting informed and aspirational educational choices.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by equipping young people with early awareness of career pathways and the skills and qualifications that lead to meaningful employment.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by actively reaching out to students from across the atolls, ensuring that young people from every island have equal access to information and inspiration about higher education opportunities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by strengthening the relationship between MNU and schools nationwide, building a collaborative ecosystem that supports student development from secondary level through to graduation.