The Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) manifesto was launched on Monday night with bold pledges to facilitate higher education.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the MDP manifesto at a campaign rally in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo.
The manifesto section on a "Productive and Prosperous Generation" pledges high quality education and training, including writing off a portion of student debt after reviewing loan assistance policies and extending the grace period for loan repayment.
The manifesto also pledged more opportunities to study specific disciplines based on the sector and number of foreign professionals in the country.
Key higher education pledges
- Encouraging the establishment of a modern e-learning system and determining standards and areas for studying through e-learning
- Ensuring that higher education and training policies are formulated to faciliate educational tourism
- Opening a campus of a world renowned hospitality school in the Maldives
- Introducing a student visa to encourage foreign students to come to the Maldives
- Increasing participation in higher education and training programs with facilities established in Male' region and other population hubs
- Expanding the tuition-free first degree program from certificate one to degree
- Expanding the trade testing mechanism for issuing certificates for experience, and introducing certified professionals with up-skilling/re-skilling opportunities
The manifesto also pledged to establish skill development hubs across the country and to create an environment conducive for ICT professionals and developers to market and sell their creations internationally.
The manifesto, which covers a broad range of sectors, also included information about what the MDP considered as achievements during the current term.
"A law on higher education and training first came into force under this government. The biggest expenditure on higher education and training was also made by this government. This includes reducing the loan administrative charge from five percent to just one percent and providing loan opportunities to more than 3000 students," the manifesto stated, detailing accomplishments in higher education and training.
More than 18,000 students were offered the opportunity to pursue degrees in the free degree program introduced by the government as a priority and more than 7,000 students have now graduated, the manifesto noted.
