MQA Urges Students to Seek Individual Programme Recognition for Overseas Studies
Photo: The President’s Office
The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has advised students to obtain individual recognition for their overseas study programmes rather than relying on recognition letters issued to others.
The clarification follows an ongoing legal case involving PhD students from AIIMS College in the Maldives, whose certificates were initially rejected by the authority. Although the High Court ruled that the certificates must be accepted, the MQA has appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court.
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In a notice published in the Gazette, the MQA said that a recognition letter previously issued to a student enrolled in a PhD programme at AIIMS College applied only to that individual. The authority noted that such letters confirm the institution and programme meet recognition requirements, and that the applicant is eligible for enrolment, but they do not guarantee certificate validation upon course completion.
The authority stressed that certification validation is a separate process that requires a detailed review of documents and additional information. It urged students studying abroad to secure individual recognition for their programmes, warning that it will not be responsible for complications arising from students’ failure to do so.
AIIMS College was initially approved to conduct the PhD programme before being informed that the qualification would not be accepted by the MQA. In 2018, the authority stated that certificates of students already enrolled would be recognised. However, certificates submitted in 2021 after completion of the course were denied validation.
The MQA cited multiple reasons for its decision, including higher education regulations requiring PhD programmes to be offered only by universities, and the lack of recognition of the programme by the relevant education authorities in the Maldives.
