Foreign experts commend Maldives’ engineering capacity, Minister Muthalib says

Foreign experts visiting the Maldives also praise the skills and professionalism of Maldivian engineers, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muthalib said on Thursday evening.

Speaking at the first-ever Engineers Awards ceremony held in the Maldives, the Minister said Maldivian engineers are “internationally recognised and of high calibre.”

Dr Muthalib said development projects must be implemented in accordance with the country’s unique environmental conditions, noting that Maldivian engineers have played a central role in designing major works across the nation.

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ އިންޖިނޭރުންގެ ޤައުމީ އެވޯޑް ޙަފުލާގައި ބައިވެރިވެވަޑައިގަތުން pic.twitter.com/Mo5PyDgHeE

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) September 10, 2026

“Every port, airport, causeway and dredged land has been designed in accordance with the environment of the Maldives. Even if some people fail to appreciate the skills of Maldivian engineers, it does not change the fact that our engineers have been instrumental in these projects,” he said.

The Minister said the purpose of celebrating Engineers’ Day and introducing a national award is to formally recognise the contributions of engineers. A total of 26 applications were submitted across 10 categories for this year’s awards, with winners selected by a special committee.

He added that the Ministry intends to expand efforts to honour engineers in the future.

Dr Muthalib said Maldivian engineers are working tirelessly behind the scenes to build the nation, and the awards serve to acknowledge their contributions.

He also highlighted the need to strengthen engineering awareness among school children, noting that information about the profession has not been adequately shared in the past.

“We must provide students with information about engineering if we want to attract them to professional careers,” he said.

Since last year’s Engineers’ Day, the Ministry has been sharing information on development projects in rural areas with school students as part of its outreach efforts.