Reduce Communication Costs for Students and Institutions:

Through expert advice gleaned from best practices, this initiative will address the lack of promotion from Higher Education Institutes (HEI) to utilize learning support mechanisms. The initiative will seek to establish an adequate online library service that offers scholarly articles and journals for students and the faculty for free of charge or for a subsidized fee, run by Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) or any other relevant government

Training Opportunities for Higher Education Stakeholders:

The focus of this project is to identify suitable training and development programs (seminars/ workshops/conclaves) for personnel of the higher education sector, through a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) of Higher Education Institutes (HEI) and conduct Training of Trainers programs in the identified fields. The training program will be based on continuous learning and will enhance 21st century learning skills of higher education sector personnel.

Establish Knowledge Exchange Partnerships with International Bodies for Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education

The project aims to develop the expertise of MQA staff and academia to effectively ensure quality assurance of qualifications in par with international standards of higher education. The project involves conducting a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to identify areas in which specialized expertise is required, to be achieved through training and building knowledge exchange international partnerships through this project.

Develop Core Modules for Higher Education Programs that Build Relevant Entrepreneurship Skills and Competencies Across All Disciplines:

Through close collaboration between MQA and HEIs, this project addresses the need to set benchmarks to guide the development and implementation of quality assurance. Workshops will facilitate discussions between HEIs in regard to required standards for respective courses. The project also aims to get feedback from regulatory bodies and stakeholders to establish new policies and standards, and to carry out regular audits by MQA to ensure that core modules at the standards set by the programs

Staff Training in Good Governance and Information Communication Technology:

The project addresses information and knowledge gaps in terms of capacity building that hinders quality service delivery. A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) will be carried out as part of the project to identify important training areas along the lines of good governance and ICT, to provide and monitor both long and short term training by professionals based on the TNA results.

Establishment of a National Research Council and a Research Fund:

The project caters for the lack of qualified researchers and availability of funding for research, to pave the way for evidencebased decision-making. The project comprises of the establishment of a National Research Council and Research Fund, a consultancy program to identify core research areas and encouraging policy-makers to incorporate research outcomes into policy formulation.

Develop Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Standards for New Programs:

The training program aims to build vocational capacity of individuals that complement the nation’s productivity and competitiveness. Apart from human resource development, the program is expected to boost employability by enhancing the quality of technical education within staff and graduates. The program includes a review of the current curriculum, consultancy component around incorporating TVET standards into curriculum, as well as regular audits and incorporating feedback from institutions, students and industry.

Increasing Opportunities for Internship and Industry Placements for Students Enrolled in Higher Education:

The main focus of this initiative is to expose students to workplace ethics and accustom them to workplace practices in a professional setting. It is expected that the program will encourage employees to commit to a culture of mentoring new entrants to the respective field by creating more internship opportunities to accommodate as many students. A consultancy exercise with HEIs will first determine areas that are high in demand for internship programs and formulate a policy for internship and industry placements. A portal/ platform will be established that details information on internship opportunities and industry placements though a demand/supply mechanism.

Strengthening the regulatory framework of Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA)

The monitoring bodies for quality assurance of Higher Education in the Maldives are the MQA and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). It is in the interest of all stakeholders in higher education that the qualifications offered by public and private higher education institutions reflect the level of quality and global acceptance that can only be achieved with careful consideration for the subsequent review of qualifications. As such, the Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF), developed by MQA, ensures that public and private HEIs maintain the same standard of quality, and the qualifications offered by these institutions are globally accepted. This proposal seeks consultancy to: 1. Review and review and revise the current MNQF 2. Develop an internal regulatory framework for use in public and private HEIs institution, in collaboration with HEIs.