- Universal Foundation awarded four 2026 medical scholarships in neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, critical care and paediatric respiratory medicine.
- Recipients Aishath Zaha, Mueez Mohamed, Mohamed Ifuhaam and Ismail Ejaz Ismail were honoured at an 13 August ceremony.
- Since 2013, the Foundation has supported over 60 doctors and 100 scholarships, alongside community, environmental and hospitality initiatives.
Universal Foundation has awarded four medical scholarships for 2026, supporting postgraduate training in specialist fields identified as areas of national need.
The recipients will pursue studies in neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, critical care medicine and paediatric respiratory medicine. Aishath Zaha received a scholarship for a Master’s in Neurosurgery, while Mueez Mohamed will undertake an MS in Paediatric Surgery.
Mohamed Ifuhaam was awarded a scholarship for an MD in Critical Care Medicine, and Ismail Ejaz Ismail received support for a fellowship in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine.
The scholarships were presented at a ceremony held on 13 August. Universal Foundation said its medical scholarship programme is intended to help address shortages in specialist healthcare skills, with training areas selected in line with requirements identified by the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare.
Established in 2013 as the philanthropic arm of Universal Enterprises, the Foundation has supported more than 60 doctors to complete training in fields including endocrinology, radiology, internal medicine, rheumatology, obstetrics and gynaecology.
The Foundation has awarded more than 100 scholarships across a wider range of disciplines, including information technology, accounting, business management and tourism.
Alongside education support, Universal Foundation continues to work with non-governmental organisations on community initiatives. Its current partnerships include the Maldives Red Crescent’s Partners for Humanity Programme and MOMS Aid’s Hiya Vehi 2026 Programme.
The Foundation also plans to introduce Little Smiles, a fundraising initiative to be carried out with organisations working in children’s welfare and development. Its environmental activities include a partnership with MOPA on plastic recycling and related sustainability efforts.
In the hospitality sector, Universal Foundation works with Versa Hospitality and Villa College through the Discover Hospitality Programme. The Foundation marked the completion of the eighth C3 Hospitality Programme batch and the second C3 Culinary Arts Programme batch in July.
