Ahmed Shaffan Mohamed Becomes First Maldivian to Earn PhD from Oxford

Ahmed Shaffan Mohamed, a young lawyer from the Maldives, has become the first Maldivian to earn a PhD from the University of Oxford.

Shaffan, who currently practices law in the Maldives, completed his doctoral thesis on criminal issues related to copyright law. He defended his thesis at the age of 29 and officially graduated at 30.

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He previously earned his first law degree from King’s College in the UK and completed his master’s degree at Oxford.

Shaffan is the son of prominent businessman Mohamed Firaq, also known as Inner Maldives Firaq, and Aminath Sharmila Waheed. His elder brother, Shahzan Mohamed, works as a medical doctor.

Very pleased to share that my DPhil thesis, ‘On the Justifiability of Criminal Copyright Provisions: A (Harm) Principled Analysis,’ is now available on the Oxford University Research Archive:https://t.co/ENg743fs36 pic.twitter.com/fA37g2wSzT— Shaffan Mohamed (@ahmedshaffan_m) September 19, 2025

In a heartfelt tribute shared by his father on Facebook, Firaq noted that earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree from a world-renowned university is an extraordinary achievement. He acknowledged the role played by family, teachers, relatives, and well-wishers in the support his son received to reach the milestone. Firaq expressed particular pride in his child being the first Maldivian to achieve this distinction at such an esteemed institution and highlighted the hope that this education will be used to serve the nation with integrity, courage, and inspiration.

“This success was not achieved alone behind you stand many who have supported and guided you along the way. Your beloved mother, who has been your constant source of strength, your teachers who shaped your path with knowledge and wisdom, your relatives who encouraged you, and all the well-wishers who believed in you,” he said.