- Half of all government-funded higher education loans will be allocated to STEM fields to expand the Maldives' skilled workforce.
- President Muizzu discussed the policy on The Pulse, aiming for more Maldivian professionals leading industries within three to five years.
- The Government targets meeting 30 per cent of national energy needs through renewables by 2028, including ocean-based energy.
Half of all government-funded higher education loans will be allocated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields as part of efforts to expand the Maldives’ skilled workforce, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said.
The policy is intended to increase the number of Maldivian graduates entering science-based professions and improve career prospects within the country. The Government plans to give greater priority to STEM programmes under its higher education loan schemes while creating additional employment opportunities in the public and private sectors.
President Muizzu discussed the plans during the seventh episode of The Pulse, which focused on engineering education and employment to mark National Engineers’ Day.
The programme featured Aishath Leen Nazim, who is studying Architectural Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham, and Makhtoom bin Hussain, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
Responding to questions from the students, the President said greater awareness of science and mathematics pathways would be promoted among secondary and higher secondary students. He said the Government aims to see more Maldivian professionals leading related industries within the next three to five years.
The discussion also addressed the role of engineers in the Maldives’ transition towards renewable energy. The Government has set a target of meeting at least 30 per cent of national energy requirements through renewable sources by 2028.
President Muizzu said ocean-based energy should be examined alongside other renewable technologies, given the Maldives’ geography. He also referred to the need for a broader approach to shifting away from non-renewable energy sources.
