Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives National University (MNU) to introduce a new Marine Foundational Course Programme, aimed at strengthening marine education and conservation in the country.
The MoU was signed at MNU’s Central Administration in Malé by Vice-Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam and Elias Pertoft, General Manager of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. The partnership is expected to provide Maldivian youth with both academic training and practical experience in marine biology, coral restoration, data collection and analysis.
Under the programme, theory modules will be taught at MNU, while students will participate in weekly hands-on sessions at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s Marine Lab. Established in 2004, the Marine Lab is the Maldives’ first resort-based conservation centre.
Elias Pertoft described the collaboration as an opportunity to empower young Maldivians. “We look forward to empowering outstanding Maldivian youth with hands-on conservation activities and a clear pathway into marine science. As we celebrate 30 years of sustainable hospitality, we remain deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of ocean stewards,” he said.
Dr Ahmed Riyaz Jauharee, Dean of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at MNU, also spoke at the ceremony, highlighting the broader value of the partnership. He said the initiative represents “a perfect synergy of knowledge, action, and stewardship,” combining the resources of MNU with the applied science platform of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
The launch of the Marine Foundational Course forms part of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 2025, aligning with the resort’s longstanding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People.”
