Villa College actively provided expert advice to local, regional, and national government bodies, reinforcing its role as a thought leader and strategic partner in addressing significant policy and development challenges. Through participation in government-led committees, consultations on educational and professional standards, and the provision of expert evidence on various sectors, Villa College contributed valuable insights to inform policy-making and governance. This collaboration included guidance on regulatory matters, professional training standards, and national education frameworks, aligning with the college’s commitment to fostering responsive and impactful institutional policies. These efforts underscore Villa College's dedication to driving positive change through informed, evidence-based contributions to national discussions and initiatives.
The following are some of the key collaborations and contributions:
Villa College representatives, Dr. Mohamed Adil (Deputy Vice Rector, Research and Innovation) serving as members of the Procurement Policy Board, a key initiative by the Ministry of Finance. Since February 2020, both representatives have contributed their expertise in the development and oversight of procurement policies in the Maldives. Their involvement highlights Villa College’s commitment to influencing national policy and ensuring the alignment of procurement strategies with both public and private sector needs.
Mr. Ali Shareef, Director of the Center for Foundation Studies at Villa College, was appointed as a member of the Employment Sector Councils. The appointment ceremony was led by Dr. Maryam Mariya, the Minister of Higher Education, Labor, and Skills Development, who presented the appointment letters to the new council members. This appointment reflects Villa College’s ongoing commitment to strengthening workforce development and collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance employment opportunities and skills alignment within the sector.
Villa College participated in a seminar organized by UNFPA Maldives to discuss findings from the review of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) legislation in the Maldives. Represented by Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim, this engagement provided Villa College with an opportunity to contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen legal frameworks addressing GBV and advocate for enhanced protection measures. Held on May 23, 2023, the seminar exemplifies Villa College’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote social justice and safeguard human rights.
Villa College provided Shariah compliance consultancy services to the Bank of Maldives (BML) throughout the year. The engagement involved Villa College experts offering guidance and support to BML's Shariah compliance board, ensuring that the bank's operations align with Islamic law principles. Represented by Asiahth Khaleela Abdul Sattar, Villa College's involvement underscored its expertise in Shariah-compliant finance and its commitment to supporting national institutions in adhering to ethical financial practices.
Villa College actively contributed to the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) as a Certificate Panel member and qualifications recognition expert. Mr. Abdul Wahid Ibrahim, the Chief Quality Officer at Villa College, represented the institution in this year-long engagement, offering his expertise on educational standards and the recognition of qualifications. This collaboration further strengthens Villa College’s involvement in ensuring that the academic qualifications awarded by institutions in the Maldives meet national and international standards, contributing to the overall quality assurance process in higher education. Evidence of this engagement can be found through the MQA Executive Link.
Villa College's Director of the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), Mr. Moosa Mohamed Manik, was appointed as a member of the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) Advisory Board by the President of the Maldives, in accordance with the Maldives Higher Education Act (Law No. 7/2021). During this year-long engagement, Mr. Manik contributed valuable insights and expertise to help shape the strategic direction of the MQA. This involvement underscores Villa College’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education in the Maldives and ensuring that academic programs align with national standards and global best practices.
Dr. Aishath Selna, Research Associate at the Institute for Research and Innovation, serves as an active contributor to the health sector through her role on the Expert Committee for Laboratory Professionals with the Maldives Allied Health Council, under the Ministry of Health. Additionally, she is a dedicated member of both the Society for Health Education (SHE), Maldives, and the Maldives Thalassemia Society. Her involvement underscores her commitment to advancing health standards, supporting education, and advocating for patient care and community well-being across the Maldives.
Ms. Aishath Mala, Dean, the Faculty of Health Sciences, participated as a member of the National Palliative Care Steering Committee, organized by the Ministry of Health. During this year-long engagement, Ms. Mala contributed her expertise to the development of national palliative care strategies, focusing on improving the quality of care for patients in the Maldives. This involvement underscores Villa College’s commitment to supporting national healthcare initiatives and enhancing the country's palliative care services in line with international standards and best practices.
Villa College partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology as a knowledge contributor for the 2023 Maldives Ocean Hackathon, an event aimed at fostering innovative solutions for marine conservation. As part of this partnership, Villa College hosted educational sessions open to both the public and school children at its premises. Key academic representatives, including Dr. Ahmed Anwar, Dr. Mohamed Adil, Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim, and Dr. Amzath Ahmed, brought their expertise to the event, engaging participants in discussions and activities focused on ocean sustainability. The hackathon, held from October 15 to 17, underscored Villa College’s commitment to environmental education and collaboration in national initiatives.
Villa College actively contributed to the development of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy by participating in a focus group meeting organized by WHO Maldives. Represented by Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim and Dr. Aishath Nasheed, the college provided insights and perspectives to support the strategic alignment of health initiatives within the country. This engagement, held on November 15, 2023, reflects Villa College’s commitment to shaping health policies and fostering partnerships that advance national health goals.
Villa College participated in the National NCD Response Forum organized by the Ministry of Health, a pivotal event focused on strengthening the Maldives' approach to tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Represented by Dr. Fazeela Ibrahim, the college contributed expertise to discussions on accelerating national strategies for NCD prevention and management. This engagement, held from August 15-16, 2023, underscores Villa College’s role in supporting public health initiatives and advancing policy responses to critical health challenges.
Throughout 2023, Villa College faculty actively supported the Bar Council of the Maldives in developing the national Bar Exam, with faculty member Asna Ahmed serving as a subject matter expert. This collaboration aimed to ensure the exam’s content and standards aligned with both Maldivian legal requirements and international best practices. Villa College’s involvement underscores its dedication to advancing legal education and supporting the establishment of high professional standards within the country’s legal sector.
In April 2023, Villa College co-organized the "Access to Justice International Conference" in partnership with USAID, NDI, ERI NGO, the Bar Council, and the Attorney General’s and Prosecutor General’s Offices. This significant event brought together key legal professionals—including judges, lawyers, and policymakers—to discuss and promote people-centered approaches to justice. Villa College representatives Dr. Ali Najeeb, Asna Ahmed, and Amish Abdullah contributed their expertise, reflecting the college's commitment to advancing accessible, community-focused legal practices.
On December 14, 2023, Villa College participated in "UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Day 2023," an event focused on harmonizing international commercial laws across the Asia-Pacific region. Engaging in discussions with UNCITRAL representatives, Villa College's Asna Ahmed and Amish Abdullah contributed insights on cross-border legal challenges and the impact of digital transformation on commercial law. Their participation underscored Villa College’s active involvement in promoting consistent legal frameworks and advancing regional cooperation in international commerce.
From December 20 to 21, 2023, Villa College hosted an "International Law Symposium" in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Prosecutor General’s Office. This symposium provided a platform to discuss the Maldives' legal landscape and its evolving role in international law. Villa College representatives, including Dr. Ali Najeeb, Asna Ahmed, Amish Abdullah, and Mohd. Imran, facilitated in-depth dialogues on international legal principles and their application in the Maldivian context. This event highlighted Villa College's commitment to fostering expertise and advancing the nation's involvement in international legal discourse.
Villa College engaged in a four-month research consultancy with UNDP, UNICEF Sri Lanka, and the Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka, providing expertise on international legal frameworks and justice systems. Represented by Mohd. Imran, Villa College contributed valuable insights to enhance the understanding of legal structures, offering practical solutions for improving justice systems. The consultancy, which began in June 2023, reinforced Villa College's role in global legal discourse and its commitment to supporting international agencies in strengthening governance and justice systems.
Villa College’s representative, Ms. Fathimath Saeed, served as a development partner on the KIX EMAP National Steering Committee, which is organized by the NORRAG Global Education Centre. In this capacity, Ms. Saeed actively participated in steering committee activities aimed at guiding national education strategies. This two-year engagement highlights Villa College’s role in shaping educational policies and contributing to the advancement of educational development in the Maldives, ensuring alignment with international best practices and national priorities.