Villa College has achieved the prestigious 5-star rating under the "QS Stars" rating system by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, one of the world's leading authorities on university and college quality assessments.
This marks the second time QS Stars has evaluated Villa College. The college described the leap from a 4-star to a 5-star rating within just two years as a historic milestone for the Maldivian higher education sector.
The rating was officially announced yesterday morning during the "VC Breakfast" networking event held at Villa College.
The results were announced and the recognition certificate was presented by the guest of honor, Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Chair of QS India and Vice President of Strategic and International Engagement at QS.
The certificate was accepted on behalf of Villa College by Rector Dr. Ahmed Anwar and Vice Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Ali Najeeb.
Key areas where Villa College achieved 5 stars
Following a rigorous audit under the QS Stars methodology, Villa College secured the highest rating (5 stars) in six out of the nine categories assessed. These include:
- Teaching Quality
- Student Employability
- Online Learning
- Internationalization
- Governance
- Environmental Impact
"A pride for the entire Maldivian higher education sector"
Speaking at the event, Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb said that receiving the highest 5-star rating from QS, one of the world's most trusted institutions, is clear evidence that the quality of education and institutional governance at Villa College meet international standards.
He noted that this is not only a historic achievement for the college but also a great source of pride for the entire Maldives.
"Receiving the highest 5-star rating from QS, one of the world's most trusted institutions, is clear evidence that the quality of education and institutional governance at Villa College meet international standards," Najeeb said.
Future Goals: "Alumni Mentoring Initiative"
Discussing the college's future objectives, Dr. Najeeb announced that a new initiative, the "Alumni Mentoring Initiative," will be launched soon.
Conducted in collaboration with industry experts and professionals, the objective of this program is to provide graduates with more than just technical knowledge. It aims to mentor students in leadership skills and essential soft skills applicable in practical work environments. This is seen as a vital step toward building a capable generation for national development.
Guest of honor Dr. Ashwin Fernandes highlighted that Villa College's achievement is a source of pride for the entire Maldives.
He explained that QS Stars is not just a university ranking, but a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation system that assesses institutional quality based on more than 50 indicators.
