Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Local Authority Collaboration Regarding Planning and Development
The Maldives National University > Sustainability 2025 > SDG 11 > Local Authority Collaboration Regarding Planning and Development

In 2025, The Maldives National University (MNU) collaborated with local councils, government institutions and community partners to support sustainable community development. Documented activities included field-based learning in Fuvahmulah, data-literacy training for local councils, forums on sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship, and a community clean-up in Kulhudhuffushi. Partnerships also provided vocational training, staff development and community education. These initiatives connected university expertise with local needs, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, environmental responsibility and community participation in support of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Janā’iz Short Course

MNU’s Faculty of Shariah and Law worked with F. Magoodhoo Council to deliver a three-day Janā’iz short course. Lecturers provided practical instruction in Islamic funeral rites and related procedures, helping community members develop the knowledge and skills needed to support bereaved families.

https://mnu.edu.mv/janaiz-short-course-conducted-in-f-magoodhoo/

Community Clean up Initiative

MNU’s Guruzu student union branch partnered with Kulhudhuffushi City Council for a community clean-up on 7 November 2025. Student volunteers helped clean public spaces while practising environmental responsibility and community service. The activity brought the university, local authority and community supporters together around the care of shared spaces.

https://mnu.edu.mv/mnu-students-union-branch-guruzu-promotes-environmental-sustainability-through-community-clean-up-initiative/

ECO219 (Economic Development)

Five MNU Business School students and two staff members visited Fuvahmulah City through ECO219 to study local development challenges. Interviews, observations and engagement with local government, businesses and community organisations examined tourism, infrastructure, environmental management and governance. Students used their findings to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

https://mnu.edu.mv/eco219-field-visit-to-fuvahmulah-city-bridging-classroom-learning-with-real-world-development-challenges/

World Tourism Day Forum on Cross-Sector Tourism Linkages

MNU Thinadhoo Campus collaborated with Business Center Corporation, Thinadhoo City Council and the Women’s Development Committee on the World Tourism Day Forum 2025. The forum brought experts and community stakeholders together to discuss sustainable tourism, links with other sectors, and opportunities for regional economic and community development.

https://mnu.edu.mv/thinadhoo-city-hosts-high-level-forum-on-cross-sector-tourism-linkages-thinadhoo-city/

World Tourism Day Forum on Cross-Sector Tourism Linkages

MNU Thinadhoo Campus collaborated with Business Center Corporation, Thinadhoo City Council and the Women’s Development Committee on the World Tourism Day Forum 2025. The forum brought experts and community stakeholders together to discuss sustainable tourism, links with other sectors, and opportunities for regional economic and community development.

https://mnu.edu.mv/thinadhoo-city-hosts-high-level-forum-on-cross-sector-tourism-linkages-thinadhoo-city/https://mnu.edu.mv/eco219-field-visit-to-fuvahmulah-city-bridging-classroom-learning-with-real-world-development-challenges/

NC2 Course Completion Ceremony (G.Dh. Atoll Council – Thinadoo Campus & CMS Collaboration)

MNU Thinadhoo Campus and the Centre for Maritime Studies collaborated with G.Dh. Atoll Council to deliver the Niyami Certificate 2 training programme. A completion ceremony on 26 October 2025 recognised participants’ achievement. The partnership brought vocational learning opportunities to the atoll and supported local skills development.

https://mnu.edu.mv/thinadhoo-city-hosts-high-level-forum-on-cross-sector-tourism-linkages-thinadhoo-city/https://mnu.edu.mv/eco219-field-visit-to-fuvahmulah-city-bridging-classroom-learning-with-real-world-development-challenges/

 

Meeting with Isdhoo and Kalaidhoo Council regarding February Intake 2025 Course Promotion

MNU Gan Campus met with L. Isdhoo and L. Kalaidhoo councils to discuss higher education opportunities, council-sponsored scholarships and local skills needs. The meeting explored cooperation on training and community development, connecting university programmes with efforts to improve access to education and employment opportunities across the atoll.

https://mnu.edu.mv/meeting-with-isdhoo-and-kalaidhoo-council-regarding-february-intake-2025-course-promotion/

Childrens Day 2025

MNU Gan Campus joined Gan Council, UNICEF Maldives and Laamu Police for a Children’s Day evening for local children and families. The university contributed an interactive stall, creating opportunities for learning and engagement alongside other community institutions.

https://mnu.edu.mv/childrens-day-2025/

Entrepreneurs Confluence – Kulhudhuffushi Edition

The MNU Business School Students’ Association worked with Kulhudhuffushi City Council and MNU Kulhudhuffushi Campus to organise the Entrepreneurs Confluence. Students, business owners and local leaders discussed challenges facing regional enterprises, youth opportunities and the role of education in supporting entrepreneurship and stronger local business networks.

https://mnu.edu.mv/entrepreneurs-confluence-kulhudhuffushi-edition-concludes-with-strong-community-support/

MNUBS, in collaboration with MBS Conducts Webinar for local councils

MNU Business School and the Maldives Bureau of Statistics delivered a webinar for local councils on 16 July 2025. The session explored the value of reliable data for informed decisions and effective local governance, supporting councils’ understanding of how evidence can inform community priorities and development decisions.

https://mnu.edu.mv/the-maldives-national-university-business-school-and-the-maldives-bureau-of-statistics-conduct-webinar-for-local-councils-on-the-value-of-data/

Public Lecturer on Strategic Innovation and System Transformation

MNU hosted a public lecture by Dr Luca Gatti on 14 May 2025 in collaboration with UNDP Maldives and the Housing Development Corporation. Students, professionals and members of the public joined a discussion on strategic innovation and system transformation, bringing different perspectives together around development challenges.

https://mnu.edu.mv/public-lecture-on-strategic-innovation-and-system-transformation-held-at-mnu/

Namaadhu Workshop 2 – Dheenuge Thanbu

MNU Thinadhoo Campus partnered with Thinadhoo City Council, Arutha NGO and Tibyan Tarbiyya Centre to conduct Namaadhu Workshop 2 – Dheenuge Thanbu on 20–21 February 2025. Thirty-five participants completed the programme, which combined classroom instruction with guided practice in mosques to develop knowledge of prayer.

https://mnu.edu.mv/community-partners-conduct-namaadhu-workshop-2-dheenuge-thanbu-in-thinadhoo/

Support Staff Training Programme in Thinadhoo

G.Dh. Atoll Council organised a support staff training programme from 20 to 22 November 2025 with the Civil Service Training Institute and MNU Thinadhoo Campus. Staff from several institutions, including the campus support team, participated in shared learning aimed at strengthening workplace skills and service standards.

https://mnu.edu.mv/support-staff-training-programme-held-in-thinadhoo/

Field Visit to Community Garden & Kulhudhuffushi Public Library

MNU nursing students in Kulhudhuffushi visited the public library’s Mental Wellbeing Support Centre and the City Council’s Community Garden Nursery on 16 November 2025. The visit examined how local services and gardening initiatives connect mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, environmental responsibility and community participation.

https://mnu.edu.mv/mnu-nursing-students-explore-community-health-initiatives-through-field-visit-to-mental-wellbeing-support-centre-and-community-garden/

Customer Service Training for WAMCO Staff

MNU delivered training in telephone etiquette and advanced customer service techniques for WAMCO staff on 5 February 2025. The session focused on professional communication and service delivery, contributing university expertise to workforce development in the waste management sector.

https://mnu.edu.mv/mnu-conducts-customer-service-training-for-wamco-staff/

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