Qasim Ibrahim, Villa Group founder and one of the wealthiest men in the country, has written off all student loans issued through his Villa Foundation.
Speaking at a rally held on Wednesday night to launch the Jumhooree Party (JP) manifesto, Qasim said he has funded the studies of about 8000 students, including through grants, scholarships and loans.
Most students sponsored by Qasim or the Villa Foundation, including those who have completed first degrees, masters degrees and PhDs, were required to repay a portion of the loan over a long period, he said. The total amount spent is estimated to be nearly MVR 1 billion, Qasim said.
"Anyone who studied with a scholarship from Villa Foundation or Qasim, and those who are studying now, anything given until the end of their courses has been forgiven. Not a single student needs to pay a cent. Regardless of whether I become president or not," said Qasim as supporters cheered.
Qasim said he decided to write off student loans issued by Villa because tuition-free masters degrees and student debt relief were included in the manifesto.
"God willing, under my administration, any child of the Maldives would not have to repay any loan taken for studies. Not a single cent," he said.
Qasim previously forgave student loans from healthcare workers during the Covid crisis.
"Doctors, nurses and so on from all the fields in the health sector. Tonight I have decided to forgive loans [taken to study in all fields]," he said.
Qasim said he would pay special attention to fisheries in his government and wished to solve problems as a businessman involved in the fisheries industry.
"I know how to do it. The price of a fish kilo would start above MVR 25," he said.
Businesses are ruined when the government intervenes and the tourism industry was also developed by the private sector, he said.
"Tourism developed as it has in the Maldives with the government providing the opportunity to private parties," he said.
Qasim called on the public to consider voting in the upcoming election as a national duty.
"The people would know whom to vote for. My candidate number is five. There's no need to talk about how big or small the party is. No need to see if it's my relative or my friend. This is a national duty. The duty must be carried out with courage."
Aside from Qasim, the other candidates include President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu from the opposition coalition, Ilyas Labeeb from The Democrats and Mohamed Nazim from the Maldives National Party as well as Umar Naseer, Faris Maumoon and Hassan Zameel as independent candidates.
