Dr Aminath Zahir Becomes First Maldivian to Earn PhD in Dhivehi
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu (R) presenting Dr Aminath Zahir a commemorative plaque for being the first Maldivian to earn a PhD in Dhivehi language on November 11, 2025 | Photo: President’s Office
Maldivian scholar Dr Aminath Zahir has become the first person in the country to earn a PhD in Dhivehi, completing her doctorate in Applied Linguistics at the Maldives National University (MNU).
In a ceremony held yesterday to commemorate Republic Day, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu presented Dr Zahir with a commemorative plaque in recognition of her milestone achievement. Her research focuses on strategies to advance and enrich the Dhivehi language.
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On Monday, President Muizzu met Dr Zahir at the President’s Office, where he congratulated her and described her accomplishment as a major step forward in the promotion of the national language. He emphasised that the preservation and development of Dhivehi remain key priorities for his administration.
Dr Zahir expressed her gratitude to the President, stating that she was honoured to have her work recognised and that the meeting reflected his commitment to advancing the Dhivehi language.
Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim, the Chancellor of MNU Dr Mahmood Shauqee, and Vice-Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz. They discussed ongoing efforts to promote the Dhivehi language and strengthen academic research in the field.
