MQA Flags Unauthorised Conduct of Maldivian Educational Programmes Abroad
Photo: The President’s Office
The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has identified a case involving a registered higher education and training centre that conducted educational programmes abroad without the required authorisation.
According to a statement issued by the MQA, the centre had been approved to conduct the programmes within the Maldives but instead delivered them overseas and awarded certificates to foreign students. The authority did not disclose the name of the institution involved.
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The matter came to light after official agencies in three foreign countries requested verification of certificates issued under these programmes. The MQA did not reveal the countries concerned but confirmed that it informed the inquiring agencies that no Maldivian higher education institution had been authorised to conduct programmes abroad.
The MQA stated that the situation had caused several issues for the affected foreign students and that the institution responsible should be held accountable. The authority also noted that it had not granted accreditation to programmes accredited overseas prior to 10 September, when new regulations on such activities came into effect.
Expressing concern over the potential damage to international confidence in the Maldives’ higher education system, the MQA stressed that any centre seeking to deliver accredited programmes abroad must first obtain explicit permission under the relevant regulations. The authority noted that similar incidents have been reported in the past.
