1. URG Title: Power, Leadership, and Isolation: Understanding Women’s Experiences in Maldivian Resorts

SDG Alignment: SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG 17

Focus: gender equity, leadership inclusion, women’s empowerment, workplace experiences, social justice, organizational culture, institutional accountability, inclusive governance, access to opportunities, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable workplace practices.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Aishath Leeza, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:

• • Dr. Shamala Kumar, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Dr. Sarath S. Kodithuwakku, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Ahmed Shathir, The Maldives National University
  • Nuha Ismail Fulhu, The Maldives National University

2. URG Title: Preceptorship readiness assessment among Maldivian medical laboratory science (MLS) professionals: A precursor study for clinical mentorship in MLS education

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 17

Focus: clinical education, mentorship readiness, competency-based training, professional learning, workforce preparedness, experiential learning, collaborative partnerships, skills development, healthcare education quality, and clinical capacity strengthening

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Aishath Maharath, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigator:
  • Fathimath Shiranee, The Maldives National University
  • Aishath Majidha Hassan, The Maldives National University.
  • Fathimath Zimna, The Maldives National University.
  • Aishath Mazuda, The Maldives National University.

3. URG Title: Development of a Context-Specific Framework for Community Health Nursing in the Maldives

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 17

Focus: community health nursing, primary healthcare, health equity, healthcare access, nursing education, competency development, workforce capacity building, evidence-based practice, community engagement, health systems strengthening, collaborative partnerships, and sustainable healthcare delivery

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Aminath Shafiya, The National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Dr. Asiya Ibrahim, he Maldives National University
  • Dr. Salma Hassan, The Maldives National University
  • Aminath Shiuna, The Maldives National University.
  • Aminath Nahooda, The Maldives National University.
  • Mariyam Rasheeda, The Maldives National University.
  • Fathimath Khumaira, The Maldives National University.

4. URG Title: Developing AI-Driven Learning Profiles and Career Pathway Models for Personalized Higher Education in the Maldives

SDG Alignment: SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 17.

Focus: AI-driven education, personalized learning pathways, student success, data-informed learning, digital learning innovation, competency development, career readiness, future skills, higher education transformation, industry–academia collaboration, and sustainable workforce development.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef, The Maldives National University, Maldives
• Co-Investigators:
  • Dr. Fathimath Shougee, The Maldives National University

5. URG Title: World Values Survey Wave 8 (WVS‑8)

SDG Alignment: SDG 10, SDG 17

Focus: social attitudes, values and beliefs, inequality measurement, social inclusion, citizenship, cultural diversity, social trust, community participation, inclusive governance, comparative research, and international collaboration

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Dr Aminath Riyaz, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:

• • Dr. Raheema Abdul Raheem, The Maldives National University
  • Dr. Mariyam Shahuneeza Naseer, The Maldives National University
  • Dr. Sheena Moosa, The Maldives National University
  • Aishath Hassan, The Maldives National University

6. URG Title: Exploring Diversity, Richness and Functional Roles of Terrestrial Invertebrates Across Contrasting Island Ecosystems of the Maldives

SDG Alignment: SDG 15, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: terrestrial biodiversity, invertebrate diversity, ecosystem health, species conservation, ecological assessment, climate resilience, habitat conservation, nature-based solutions, environmental monitoring, island ecosystem management, scientific collaboration, and sustainable ecosystem management.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Faruhana Abdulla, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Hana Amir, Bangor University, United Kingdom

7. URG Title: Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Prescribing and Resistance Patterns in Hospitals Across the Maldives: A Patient-Based Point Prevalence Study

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: antimicrobial resistance, healthcare-associated infections, patient safety, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, public health surveillance, healthcare quality improvement, health system strengthening, evidence-based healthcare, laboratory capacity, innovation in healthcare, and collaborative partnerships.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Fathimath Zimna, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Dr. Heather Lawson, North Tyneside General Hospital, United Kingdom
  • Joseph Brayson, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
  • Dr. Seema Umar, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
  • Dr. Alexander James Martin, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, United Kingdom
  • Aishath Maharath, The Maldives National University
  • Aishath Majidha Hassan, The Maldives National University

• Fathimath Shiranee, The Maldives National University

• • Aishath Mazuda, The Maldives National University
  • Khadija Abdulrahman Hussein, The Maldives National University
  • Ahmed Ziyad, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Maldives
  • Uza. Thasleema Usman, Ministry of Health, Maldives
  • Dr. Nazla Musthafa Luthfee, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Maldives
  • Dr. Suryabrata Benerjee, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

8. URG Title: Enhancing Financial Management Among SMEs in The Maldives: Challenges, Digital Adoption, And Policy Pathways for Sustainable Business Growth

SDG Alignment: SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: SME sustainability, digital financial adoption, entrepreneurial capacity, business innovation, financial resilience, inclusive economic growth, technology-enabled enterprises, sustainable entrepreneurship, policy pathways, blue economy development, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Nuha Ismail Fulhu, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Aishath Leeza, The Maldives National University.
• Ahmed Anwar

9. URG Title: From Awareness to Action: Assessing Community Readiness for Palliative Care Services in The Maldives Using the Community Readiness Model

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 10, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: palliative care awareness, community-based healthcare, equitable access to services, patient dignity, supportive care, health literacy, community engagement, healthcare capacity building, social inclusion, evidence-based health planning, multisectoral collaboration, and sustainable healthcare delivery.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Saadhath Moosa, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Agleema Ahmed, The Maldives National University.
  • Aishath Sharuwath Ilyas, The Maldives National University. 
  • Fathimath Haleem, The Maldives National University. 
  • Fathimath Khumaira, The Maldives National University. 
  • Khadheeja Shakir, The Maldives National University. 
  • Mariyam Hudha, The Maldives National University. 
  • Mariyam Rasheeda, The Maldives National University. 
  • Thasneem Ahmed, The Maldives National University. 

10. URGTitle: Public Sector Service Delivery for the Deaf Community: A Mixed-Methods Study of Accessibility, Inclusion, and Communication Effectiveness in the Maldives

SDG Alignment: SDG 10, SDG16, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: disability rights, accessible services, inclusive governance, communication accessibility, social equity, public service inclusion, Deaf awareness, participatory approaches, policy implementation, institutional capacity, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Saeed Athhar, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigators:
  • Hasma Waheed, The Maldives National University
  • Fathimath Minna, The Maldives National University
  • Aishath Rihula, The Maldives National University

11. URG Title: Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Pharmacy Professionals in the Greater Male’ Area Regarding Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 14, SDG 17

Focus: drug safety monitoring, pharmacovigilance awareness, healthcare professional training, competency development, medication management, patient-centered care, health system strengthening, lifelong learning, antimicrobial stewardship, environmental protection, knowledge sharing, and multisectoral collaboration.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Salna Susan Abraham, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigator:
  • Ibrahim Adam, The Maldives National University
  • Ruben Singh Rajappan, The Maldives National University
  • Binuja Surekha Surendran, The Dale View College of Pharmacy and Research Centre, India.
  • Khadija Abdulrahman Hussain, The Maldives National University. 

12. URG Title: Empowering Caregivers to Improve Quality and Dignity of Care for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

SDG Alignment: SDG 3, SDG 10, SDG 5, SDG 14, SDG 17.

Focus: caregiver empowerment, healthy ageing, cognitive health, person-centered care, caregiver training, quality of life, dignified care, healthcare capacity building, social inclusion, community-based support, and collaborative partnerships.

Team:

• Principal Investigator: Sizna Mohamed, The Maldives National University
• Co-Investigator:
  • Aminath Nahooda, The Maldives National University
  • Aminath Shiuna, The Maldives National University
  • Zeenaz Fahmee, The Maldives National University

University Book Writing Grants (UBWG) 2026 Call 1 Awarded Grants:

1. UBWG Title: Maldivian Cuisine: A Hands-on Guide

SDG Alignment: SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG8, SDG 17.

Focus: culinary heritage, sustainable food practices, traditional knowledge preservation, responsible consumption, sustainable fisheries, healthy nutrition, cultural identity, culinary education, food entrepreneurship, local livelihoods, and collaborative partnerships

Team:

• Primary Author: Aminath Shaanee, The Maldives National University
• Co-Author:
  • Aishath Sobaha Hussain, The Maldives National University

2. UBWG Title: ESDGC for Primary Schools Teacher Resource Book

SDG Alignment: SDG 4, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG15, SDG 16, SDG 17.

Focus: education for sustainable development, global citizenship education, sustainability literacy, teacher capacity building, environmental education, climate action, responsible consumption, biodiversity conservation, ocean literacy, inclusive education, active citizenship, and collaborative partnerships.

Team:

• Primary Author: Fathimath Nasiha Abdul Muhaimin, The Maldives National University
• Co-Authors:
  • Dr. Fathimath Shafeega, Dhivehi Rajjege Israhvehinge Jamiyya
  • Dr. Aminath Shiyama, The Maldives National University