Villa College Holds 2026 Postgraduate Research Symposium
Students presented more than 50 research posters and academic papers during the symposium. | Photo: Villa College
Villa College has concluded its Postgraduate Research Symposium 2026, bringing together postgraduate students to present research across education, health, business and management.
The symposium aimed to strengthen research culture in higher education and promote research that can contribute to national development and address challenges facing society. State Minister for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Abdulla Nazeer attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
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Speaking at the event, Villa College Centre for Postgraduate Studies Dean Dr Ibrahim Latheef highlighted the need for research to extend beyond academic requirements and contribute to policy, professional practice and practical solutions for societal challenges.
Dr Nazeer also commended Villa College’s contribution to the development of higher education in the Maldives and said its progress represented an achievement for the country’s wider higher education sector.
The symposium featured two panel discussions. The first, organised by the Faculty of Educational Studies, examined student absenteeism and disengagement from learning, including factors such as classroom environments, examination pressure, bullying, travel and family difficulties. Participants also discussed ways to create safer and more supportive school environments.
A second panel, organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences, focused on the wellbeing of healthcare workers. The discussion addressed issues including physical and psychological fatigue among nurses, back and musculoskeletal problems, sleep disruption caused by shift work and medication safety.
Students presented more than 50 research posters and academic papers during the symposium.
Master of Public Health student Dr Angkan Ishti Chaudhuri won the award for Best Presentation for research examining the working environment, psychological and social challenges, and healthcare-seeking behaviours of foreign employees in Asia’s tourism sector.
Meanwhile, Fathimath Zuha Hamdhoon, a Master of Education in Teaching student, received the Best Poster award for research on teachers’ perspectives and challenges in delivering inclusive education in mainstream classrooms.
At the closing ceremony, Villa College Vice Rector Associate Professor Dr Ali Najeeb highlighted the importance of developing a research-oriented mindset among postgraduate students. He also announced plans to hold several such symposiums annually and introduce special awards for outstanding dissertations.
