The Maldives National University (MNU) recognises the importance of meaningful stakeholder participation in university governance and decision-making. As the national university, MNU engages representatives from government institutions, industry, professional bodies, local communities and civil society through established governance and advisory structures.
MNU provides formal mechanisms for external stakeholders to contribute to institutional decision-making through the University Council and Faculty Advisory Committees. These participatory bodies bring together external expertise, professional perspectives and community interests to inform University policies, academic programmes, strategic priorities and institutional development.
Through these arrangements, MNU seeks to ensure that its educational programmes, research activities and institutional decisions remain responsive to national development priorities, workforce requirements and the needs of the communities it serves.
These mechanisms support SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, particularly Target 16.7, which promotes responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
University Council
The University Council is MNU’s highest governing body, responsible for institutional oversight, strategic direction, governance and accountability in accordance with the Maldives National University Act (Law No. 3/2011).
An important feature of the Council’s composition is the inclusion of eight external representatives nominated by MNU and appointed by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development.
These external members provide a formal mechanism through which perspectives and expertise from outside the University can contribute to institutional governance.
External Stakeholder Participation in the University Council
1. External Representation in Council Membership
The Council includes eight external members who bring knowledge and experience from outside the University. Their participation provides opportunities for external perspectives to inform strategic planning, institutional policies and decisions concerning the University’s development.
2. Participation in Institutional Decision-Making
3. Diverse Perspectives and National Development
External representation strengthens the connection between the University and wider society, helping MNU consider national development needs, professional expectations and community interests in its institutional planning.
4. Statutory Governance Framework
The Council operates under the Maldives National University Act (Law No. 3/2011), which establishes the University’s governance structure and provides the legal framework for Council membership, responsibilities and decision-making.
Through these arrangements, external stakeholders have a formal role in University governance, supporting transparency, institutional accountability and participatory decision-making.
Learn More About MNU’s University Council
Faculty Advisory Committees: Connecting Academic Programmes with Industry, Government and Communities
MNU’s Faculty Advisory Committees provide an important mechanism for external stakeholder engagement at the academic and faculty levels.
These committees bring together representatives and experts from relevant professional sectors, employers, government institutions, industry and other external stakeholder groups to provide advice on academic development and the relevance of University programmes.
Through their advisory role, external stakeholders have opportunities to contribute to discussions on curriculum development, graduate competencies, workforce requirements, professional standards and emerging national priorities.
Stakeholder Participation Through Faculty Advisory Committees
1. External Membership and Professional Expertise
Faculty Advisory Committees provide opportunities for external professionals, industry representatives, employers and relevant stakeholders to contribute their knowledge and experience to faculty-level academic planning and development.
2. Curriculum Development and Programme Relevance
External stakeholders provide perspectives on the relevance of academic programmes to professional practice, employment opportunities and national development needs. Their input helps faculties review existing programmes and consider improvements to curriculum content and learning outcomes.
3. Graduate Employability and Workforce Development
Through engagement with employers and professional bodies, faculties can identify emerging workforce needs, skills gaps and professional competencies expected of graduates.
These contributions support the University’s efforts to prepare graduates who are equipped to contribute effectively to the Maldivian workforce and wider society.
4. Research, Innovation and Professional Collaboration
Faculty Advisory Committees provide opportunities to identify areas for research collaboration, knowledge exchange and professional engagement that respond to challenges faced by industry, government and communities.
5. Stakeholder Input into Faculty Development
External members can contribute perspectives on faculty priorities, professional partnerships, practical training opportunities and the development of academic activities relevant to national and community needs.
Through these arrangements, Faculty Advisory Committees strengthen the relationship between academic decision-making and the wider professional and social environment.
Strengthening Participatory Governance and Institutional Accountability
The University Council and Faculty Advisory Committees provide complementary mechanisms for stakeholder participation at institutional and faculty levels.
While the University Council enables external participation in strategic governance and institutional oversight, Faculty Advisory Committees provide opportunities for external stakeholders to influence academic planning, programme development and professional engagement.
Together, these bodies support:
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Inclusive and representative university governance.
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Meaningful stakeholder participation in decision-making.
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Engagement with government, industry, employers and professional bodies.
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Academic programmes responsive to national and community needs.
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Evidence-based planning and institutional development.
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Transparency, accountability and stronger relationships with external stakeholders.
These participatory structures reflect MNU’s commitment to Stronger Together: Shared Voices, Shared Decisions, recognising that effective university governance benefits from the active involvement of those who contribute to and are affected by its decisions.
Contribution to SDG 16
MNU’s participatory governance arrangements contribute particularly to:
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SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
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SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
By providing formal opportunities for external stakeholder participation through the University Council and Faculty Advisory Committees, MNU strengthens institutional accountability, inclusive governance and the connection between higher education and the communities it serves.
Our Governance and Advisory Bodies
Explore MNU’s governance structures and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
MNU Governance and University Council; Faculty Advisory Committee
