President Solih: Free higher education for 20,000 students by 2023

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday stated that the administration was determined to provide further scholarship opportunities under the public-private partnerships and to provide free higher education opportunities for at least 20,000 students by the end of 2023.

The President made this statement while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consuls Scholarship Programme held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his address, President Solih stressed the critical role played by honorary consuls in the delivery of consular services to Maldivian citizens abroad, in promoting our economic and cultural interests, and in representing the Maldives and Maldivian values in their respective countries.

He further stressed the significance of education for the youth population of Maldives in living up to their dreams

Speaking about his administration’s efforts to improve the education sector, the President stated that “over 12,000 students have enrolled in undergraduate programmes through the administration’s "Free Education Scheme for Degree Students" and that over 2,000 students have now completed their education.”

The introduction of the Honorary Consul Scholarship Programme was initiated in 2019 in line with President Solih’s pledge to enable equal opportunities for all students who wish to pursue higher education.

In addition to President Solih, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Higher Education Dr Ibrahim Hassan, and respective consuls and Foreign Service officials attended virtually.

Under this programme, 44 scholarships opportunities will be awarded from 2022 to 2023, arranged by seven contributing honorary consuls.