MP Calls for MQA Officials to Appear Before Majlis Committee Over Fake Certificates

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) has requested the People’s Majlis to summon officials from the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) to a relevant committee over concerns regarding the issuance of unaccredited and unverified certificates in the Maldives.

In a letter sent to Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem, MP Kudu highlighted concerns that the issuance of fake certificates and the possession of forged qualifications could have a widespread negative impact on the country’s education sector and society.

advertisement

He noted that unaccredited certificates could contribute to a decline in educational standards, including gaps in students’ knowledge and skills and the provision of curricula that do not meet national or international standards.

The MP further raised concerns that such certificates could create challenges in the job market due to a lack of essential skills among certificate holders, while also affecting the recognition and credibility of Maldivian qualifications internationally.

According to the letter, the presence of unverified qualifications could reduce trust in the higher education system, limit opportunities for further studies, and leave students frustrated after discovering that qualifications they obtained are not recognised.

MP Kudu stated that measures should be taken through parliament to address the issue, including strengthening the legal and regulatory framework governing higher education and training.

He highlighted the need to amend the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act to strengthen the authority and legal powers of the MQA, which is responsible for assessing the quality of higher education and training services provided in the Maldives.

The MP has thus requested that relevant authorities be summoned before the appropriate committee of the parliament to discuss the matter and identify measures to address concerns surrounding unaccredited and forged certificates.

The concerns come after the MQA raised issues earlier this year regarding Avid College’s alleged operation of academic programmes in Sri Lanka without the required accreditation and approval.

In a public announcement in January, the MQA stated that it had been advising Avid College for more than a year regarding programmes conducted at Amazon College and Alzette University in Sri Lanka, which the authority said breached regulations governing the delivery of accredited Maldivian programmes abroad.

The authority said the institutions involved were not registered to provide higher education with the relevant authorities in either Sri Lanka or the Maldives. It further stated that Avid College had only received approval to conduct online courses related to Quran and associated subjects.

In April, the MQA also urged higher education institutions to ensure their programmes were accredited in accordance with updated Programme Accreditation Guidelines, warning that programmes that fail to comply would be considered invalid.

The authority said institutions with previously approved programmes were required to apply for re-accreditation under the revised framework, but several institutions had yet to do so. MQA noted that attempts to engage with some institutions had received limited response, with around 30 institutions reportedly unreachable through official communication channels.

Institutions that had not complied were instructed to submit the required information to the MQA by 31 May.