MQA Introduces New Regulations To Strengthen Higher Education Oversight

The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has introduced two new regulations designed to strengthen the country’s higher education system by centralising document verification and regulating the delivery of accredited programmes overseas.

One of the regulations marks the resumption of official stamping of documents by the authority. Under the change, documents such as qualification recognition letters, programme validation papers, and assessment reports will once again be attested directly by the MQA. This reverses a 2017 decision that delegated the task to educational institutions and employers, which had led to confusion and growing concerns about forged certificates.

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The centralisation is intended to simplify verification for job seekers and other stakeholders by providing a single, authoritative source of authentication. A fee will be charged for each page requiring attestation, and application forms are available through the MQA website.

The second regulation introduces oversight of MQA-accredited programmes delivered outside the Maldives. Institutions seeking to conduct such programmes abroad will now be required to obtain explicit approval from the MQA before offering them.

The measure is aimed at preventing the unauthorised delivery of Maldivian-accredited courses overseas, a practice that has raised concerns about quality control and academic standards. By establishing clear requirements, the MQA intends to safeguard the credibility of its qualifications while protecting students’ interests both locally and internationally.

The new rules form part of the MQA’s wider efforts to reinforce quality assurance and integrity within the higher education sector.