Villa College has inaugurated its 9th International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (ICSRI 2025), bringing together academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to address global and national challenges through research-driven solutions.
Held from 10 to 11 September at the Villa College QI Campus, the conference convenes under the theme, “Synergies of Discovery: Igniting Solutions for the Future.” Since its launch in 2016, ICSRI has become the leading platform in the Maldives for aligning academic research with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency David Jessup, the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, who served as Chief Guest. In his address, Mr. Jessup underscored the importance of research-informed dialogue in tackling issues such as climate change, digital disruption, and social inequality. Villa College Rector, Dr. Ahmed Anwar, described the event as a flagship platform for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and connecting researchers, students, and professionals.
This year’s two-day programme features over 75 paper presentations by 166 registered participants, covering areas such as digital transformation, climate action, business and social entrepreneurship, future skills, governance, health, and sustainable cities. The conference has also introduced “Impact Rooms,” a new initiative announced by Conference Chair and Deputy Vice Rector, Dr. Mohamed Adil. These sessions are designed to produce actionable policy briefs by bringing together researchers and policymakers on themes ranging from the blue economy and energy transitions to tourism equity and digital futures.
As part of the event, Villa College also announced the 2025 recipients of its research grants. The six winning projects include studies on air quality monitoring, thalassemia, ageing care models, autism screening, AI in tourism marketing, and consumer behaviour.
The conference also saw the launch of the International Journal of Social Research and Innovation, further cementing its role in advancing academic discourse in the Maldives.
ICSRI 2025 is supported by 24 sponsors, partners, and endorsers, including several government ministries, the Maldives Monetary Authority, UNICEF, Visit Maldives, and the Society for Health Education. Key partners include Dhiraagu, Amãna Takaful, the Maldives Pension Office, and STO.
By uniting a diverse range of stakeholders, ICSRI 2025 continues to strengthen the Maldives’ role as an emerging hub for innovation in the Indian Ocean region, while providing research-based solutions to pressing social and policy challenges.
