Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed has announced that Maldives Polytechnic will introduce courses in eight cultural fields next year, as work to establish national standards and recognise skills in these areas nears completion.
The Minister made the announcement while addressing this year's Maldives Polytechnic graduation ceremony as the guest of honour.
Minister Heena described vocational education as an essential sector for every country, noting that countries around the world increasingly recognise vocational education and training as a necessary component of modern education systems rather than an optional educational pathway.
She highlighted Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark as examples of countries that have established strong systems connecting education with the workplace. She also pointed to Singapore, where substantial investment in vocational education, including practical training and industry participation, has supported national development.
Citing international studies, the Minister said vocational education plays an important role in developing technical skills that meet labour market requirements and preparing individuals to enter employment.
Reflecting on the progress of Maldives Polytechnic, Minister Heena noted that 690 students are graduating this year, compared with 441 last year. She described the increase as a significant achievement that reflects growing interest in vocational education in the Maldives.
Beyond its economic importance, the Minister emphasised that certain skills are closely connected to national identity.
She said work to develop national standards and recognise skills across eight cultural fields is now nearing completion. Among the achievements, she highlighted the successful completion of skills recognition examinations in traditional jewellery making.
Explaining the significance of cultural skills, Minister Heena said their value extends beyond the physical products created through traditional craftsmanship. She cited traditional jewellery design as an example, noting that its significance goes far beyond the materials used to produce an ornament.
Such craftsmanship, she explained, involves knowledge, skills acquired through experience, specialised methods of using tools and equipment, terminology specific to the craft and practical wisdom developed through experience. Traditional crafts also carry stories, customs and cultural meanings, much of which has never been formally documented.
The Minister said these forms of knowledge presented an important opportunity to reconsider approaches to safeguarding the country's cultural heritage.
Minister Heena also highlighted the important role of the Maldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA) in developing occupational standards, strengthening skills, assessing competency levels, conducting skills recognition examinations and awarding certificates through the national certification system.
She said MNSDA had also participated in designing the cultural courses scheduled to begin next year at Maldives Polytechnic. The Minister expressed confidence that the courses would help develop more skilled practitioners in cultural fields, describing this as significant progress for the sector.
Turning to the Government's wider education priorities, Minister Heena said the Government has been working to strengthen the education system and improve its effectiveness in delivering the best possible outcomes for the country since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office.
She emphasised that national development depends on developing vocational expertise, strengthening human resources and building a technically skilled workforce.
The Minister added that one of the Government's principal objectives is to train Maldivians for jobs available within the country and ensure that Maldivians can access those employment opportunities.
Maldives Polytechnic celebrates graduation of 690 students across training programmes
A total of 690 students have graduated from Maldives Polytechnic across 55 academic programmes, as the institution continues to offer vocational training across a range of fields.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed attended the graduation ceremony as the guest of honour, where she also announced plans to introduce courses in eight cultural fields at Maldives Polytechnic next year. Senior officials from Maldives Polytechnic and representatives of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development also attended the ceremony.
Maldives Polytechnic was established as a specialised institution to provide training in practical skills required in the workforce. In addition to its operations in Malé, the institution also runs branches in the atolls and has expanded its courses across various fields.
The institution has conducted 55 academic programmes, including three diploma programmes, seven Advanced Certificate Level 4 programmes, two National Certificate Level 4 programmes and 25 Certificate Level 3 programmes.
The institution has conducted 55 academic programmes, including three diploma programmes, seven Advanced Certificate Level 4 programmes, two National Certificate Level 4 programmes and 25 Certificate Level 3 programmes. These also include 14 National Certificate Level 3 programmes, one Certificate Level 2 programme and three Certificate Level 1 programmes.
Alongside its academic programmes, Maldives Polytechnic conducted National Trade Testing in nine different fields and awarded certificates to 42 individuals. Of the 690 students who completed their studies across the 55 programmes, 401 were male and 289 were female.
The institution also presented Excellence Awards to 39 students who achieved notable success across 17 programmes in 12 fields. Meanwhile, Maldives Polytechnic recorded a total enrolment of 1,132 students this year, comprising 708 male students and 424 female students.