Ministry Signs MoUs to Train Maldivians in Foreign Languages for Tourism Sector
Photo: Ministry of Higher Edu, Labour and Skills Development
The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development has launched a new initiative to train Maldivians in foreign language communication skills relevant to the tourism industry.
މި ވުޒާރާ އާއި ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ އަދި ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ އިސްލާމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ ގުޅިގެން ބޭރު ބަސްބަހުން މުއާމަލާތް ކުރުމުގެ ހުނަރު ދިވެހީންނަށް އުގަންނައިދީ ތަމްރީނުކުރުމަށް މިއަދު ވަނީ ދެ ފަހުމުނާމާގައި ސޮއިކުރެވިފައެވެ.
މި ފަހުމުނާމާތަކުގެ މައިގަނޑު މަޤްޞަދަކީ،… pic.twitter.com/2KxAWR62O6— Min. of Higher Edu, Labour and Skills Development (@MoHEmv) October 13, 2025advertisement
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The agreements were signed with the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). The programme focuses on teaching languages spoken in countries that contribute the highest number of tourists to the Maldives, including Mandarin, Arabic, French, German, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and Italian.
According to the Ministry, the tourism sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth and creating job opportunities across the country. However, a shortage of staff proficient in foreign languages remains a key challenge in improving service quality within the industry.
The new training programmes aim to bridge this communication gap, thereby enhancing the overall tourism experience while facilitating better employment and career advancement opportunities for Maldivian workers. The Ministry noted that teaching basic communication skills in key foreign languages will make local staff more competitive in the hospitality sector.
Under the agreement, the Ministry of Higher Education will cover tuition fees for students participating in the language training courses. The initiative forms part of a key government manifesto pledge to upskill Maldivians and strengthen the tourism workforce.
The training programme will target both current tourism sector employees and individuals aspiring to join the industry.
A total of 425 students will receive language training under the programme: 200 in Mandarin, 50 each in French, German, Japanese, and Arabic, and 25 in Italian.
The Maldives welcomed two million tourists last year, and the government aims to attract 2.3 million visitors this year. As of October 2025, the country has already received 1.7 million arrivals, with China emerging as the leading source market.
