A certificate awarding ceremony was held for State Trading Organization (STO) employees who completed the Basic Photography Training Programme. The event recognized the achievements of participants who completed the 19-hour course held from August 06th to August 17th, 2024.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by opening remarks from Ali Shareef, Director of Centre for Foundation Studies. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of industry engagement as a core principle of Villa College’s mission and praised the event for fulfilling the objective.

He shared positive feedback from students, who found the programme highly beneficial, and highlighted that Mr. Ahmed Kiram, a prominent Maldivian photographer, exceeded participants' expectations with his presentation. Shareef also reiterated Villa College's commitment to maintaining high-quality programmes and prioritizing corporate training and workshops, ensuring satisfaction for both students and participants.

Next, STO Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim delivered a speech expressing his appreciation for Villa College’s programmes and their role in organising the basic photography training for STO staff. He thanked the Villa College management, staff, and facilitator for their efforts and encouraged employees to take part in upskilling programmes to enhance their professional growth and highlighted the importance of learning new skills. He also suggested that staff explore small business opportunities for extra income and discussed the practical value of acquiring skills like plumbing and electrical work to handle home emergencies on their own.

This was followed by Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb’s speech which highlighted the importance of lifelong learning, noting it as one of Villa College’s core values.

The programme, developed through a collaboration between Villa College and the STO Recreation Club under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was facilitated by Mr. Ahmed Kiram. As one of the Maldives’ most prominent photographers, he shared his knowledge of photography with the participants, making photography concepts easier to understand. He combined clear technical explanations with creative tips, making the learning process both straightforward and inspiring.

The participants provided positive feedback, noting a significant improvement in their photography skills. They appreciated Mr. Kiram’s engaging teaching style and the organization of the programme. The practical, hands-on approach helped them understand complex concepts and apply them effectively.

A total of 29 participants successfully completed the programme and were awarded certificates. The certificates were presented by STO Managing Director Mr. Shimad Ibrahim and Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb.