The Maldives National University (MNU) contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through research, community partnerships and the preservation of Maldivian culture. The Maldives faces an urban challenge unlike most countries. Its population is spread across 187 low-lying inhabited islands, while the Population and Housing Census 2022 found that about 41% of residents live in the Malé area. Many island communities have limited access to services and face growing climate risks. MNU helps build safer, more inclusive and resilient communities through research on coastal hazards, water security and climate adaptation. It also opens its libraries and digital repository to the public, greens its campuses, works with island and city councils, and safeguards the Dhivehi language and island heritage.