Maldives National University (MNU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil and Structural Engineering Consultants Private Limited (CSEC) of Sri Lanka.
The MoU seeks to collaborate in areas of structural engineering, science and technology. The signatories will work together on research, teaching, training and internationalisation, as well as in the exercise of best practices and global standards compliance within the Industry. The MoU is the result of discussions held during CSEC’s visit to MNU on January 16. CSEC visit to MNU earlier in January unveiled possibilities for providing assistance in developing the engineering curriculum and initiating new courses like Modular Construction at MNU.
These prospects further entail providing scholarships for undergraduate engineering students with outstanding performance, and students seeking to complete their internship requirements. In addition, opportunities for bilateral research with CSEC and University of Melbourne and collaboration on joint publications with Maldivian academics were also explored.
Specific details of assistance additionally include Continuing Professional Development as part of on-going training and capacity building for MNU faculty members. Such activities also comprise of arrangement of visiting lecturers and guest-speakers to conduct symposiums and lectures. Other areas of discussion include establishing a distant education (e-learning) platform in the Maldives through collaboration with MNU and the Open University of Sri Lanka, development of engineering curriculum and introducing new courses like modular construction, implementation of joint research projects and joint publications, implementation of mutual teaching programmes, exchange of information and materials of mutual interest and hosting of international conferences.
Speaking at the signing, Managing Director of CSEC Shiromal Fernando said, “CSEC is excited to contribute to the growth and development of young Maldivian minds in the field of Engineering, as part of our holistic presence and operation in the Maldives. Knowledge-sharing through our guest speakers’ programmes and introducing modular construction technologies, sustainability and green technologies opens up a vast amplitude of possibilities for the Construction Industry and future professionals in the Maldives”.
CSEC is a state-of-the-art consultancy firm comprising of internationally acclaimed Structural Engineers in the industry and academia. CSEC developed key landmark projects in Sri Lanka (Colombo Lotus Tower, Krrish Square, Cinnamon Life, Colombo City Centre, Prime Grand, Pearl Grand, Avic Astoria Apartments) and overseas (Star City, Myanmar). CSEC is officially represented in the Maldives by 960 Holdings Private Limited.
CSEC has extended its scope of operations by undertaking two notable projects in the Maldives; Vakkaru Luxury Resort and Nasandhura Residencies, marking an important milestone to further strengthen the relationship with the Maldives. CSEC discerns the importance of being singularly engaged with its Clients, the business and social environment of the markets in which it operates in.
CSEC has formed a strategic partnership with 960 consultants, a subsidiary of 960 holdings, to achieve these goals in the Maldives.