Villa College makes historic achievement with position in global top 100 rankings

Jun 25, 2026, 10:59 AM
This achievement marks the first time a Maldivian institution has broken into the global top 100 in this category.

This achievement marks the first time a Maldivian institution has broken into the global top 100 in this category.

Villa College has made a historic achievement by securing a distinguished position in the "Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026."

In these rankings, which evaluate global higher education institutions on their efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Villa College ranked 82nd worldwide for Quality Education (SDG 4). This achievement marks the first time a Maldivian institution has broken into the global top 100 in this category.

This is a significant leap from the previous year, where the college was positioned in the 101-200 band.

Out of 1,603 institutions participating globally this year, Villa College secured an overall ranking within the 301-400 band. This reflects substantial year-on-year progress compared to its 401-600 placement last year, solidifying Villa College’s status as the highest-rated institution in the Maldives.

Other notable achievements across various categories include:

  • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Advanced to the 201-300 band out of 1,254 institutions, marking the college's most significant improvement from its previous 601-800 placement.
  • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Moved up one tier into the 101-200 band out of 914 institutions worldwide.
  • SDG 5 and 17 (Gender Equality and Partnerships for the Goals): Maintained a strong global standing by retaining its position in the 201-300 band for both categories.

Commenting on the achievement, Villa College Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb stated that this success is a testament to the hard work of the college’s students and staff.

He further noted that ranking 82nd on a world-class quality index enhances the international prestige of the qualifications held by Villa College graduates, opening up superior opportunities for them in the global job market.

Comments

Read More

Latest News

Businesses face challenges in securing dollar support from BML

Bank of Maldives has notified businesses that dollar support for transfers is now strictly subject to availability. Importers face automatic cancellations if accounts lack full invoice amounts, as the bank struggles with a severe foreign exchange shortage. Business owners report receiving zero support and no prior notice of these changes.

Dollar transfers will return to normal within next week: BML

Bank of Maldives expects dollar transfer services to return to normal next week following recent delays caused by a surge in demand. The bank implemented measures to manage unsustainable outflows from Rufiyaa accounts, noting that the issue is a temporary supply imbalance and not a reflection of its overall financial health.

BML denies funding $50 million debt repayment to SBI

Bank of Maldives denied claims that it provided $50 million to the government for debt repayment to the State Bank of India. The bank clarified that no customer deposits or internal resources were used for the payment. BML maintained its financial stability despite ongoing dollar liquidity challenges and warned against spreading misinformation.

Exclusive: Maldives sought extension on $50M India debt

The Maldives government requested a further extension to repay a final $50 million debt installment to India, but the request was denied. Despite the refusal, the Maldives settled the payment last week using its Sovereign Development Fund. This follows previous rollovers and a $50 million grant provided by India earlier this year.

Businesses allege BML is blocking USD transfers

Business owners are accusing the Bank of Maldives of blocking USD transfers to other banks amid a liquidity crisis. Despite having sufficient funds, traders report significant delays in processing payments and transfers via the MRTGS system. BML cited a backlog, reportedly prioritizing essential imports like food and medicine.

Government settles final $50 million debt to SBI

The government has fully repaid a $150 million debt to the State Bank of India, settling the final $50 million installment this month. The debt, originally incurred in 2019, was cleared in three stages under the current administration. This payment is part of a broader $2.3 billion effort to service foreign debt over the last two years.

Govt urged to suspend dollar mandate and tax changes

Tourism advocacy group Destination Future is urging the government to suspend a planned 40% foreign currency conversion mandate and new tax changes for tour operators. The group warns these measures could cause irreparable damage to the industry, which is already struggling with declining occupancy and rising supply costs.

Newsletter

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox