President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the First Amendment to the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act (Act No. 7/2021). The amendment bill was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis at its 16th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
The amendment aims to broaden access to higher education and enable qualified institutions to provide university-level education within the Maldives. It revises the existing criteria governing the establishment and operation of universities in the country.
Under the revised requirements, an institution applying for registration as a university in the Maldives must have either:
• Operated as a local college for a minimum of 15 consecutive years, or
• Functioned as a university abroad for at least 10 years.
To convert a registered higher education college into a university, the institution must meet the following criteria:
• Offer at least three programmes at Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF) Levels 7 and 9, either independently or in affiliation with a foreign university.
• Maintain a minimum enrolment of 1,000 students in MNQF Level 7 and above programmes.
• Be ranked or rated under an international university ranking or rating system.
• Hold membership for at least five years in both an international university association and an international quality assurance organisation.
• Demonstrate experience in conducting international-level research in collaboration with foreign universities or organisations.
• Ensure that at least 10 per cent of its academic staff hold doctoral qualifications.
• Possess adequate infrastructure and resources that meet standards set by the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development.
Following ratification, the First Amendment to the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act has been published in the Government Gazette and has now come into effect.