President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Monday commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the Maldives National University (MNU), praising its longstanding contribution to national development and urging its continued evolution as a sanctuary of academic excellence.
In a message shared via his official X account, the president expressed hope that the university would grow "day by day into an increasingly successful and high-quality academic sanctuary". The sentiment was later echoed in a statement from the President’s Office, which described the anniversary as a milestone for the country’s leading institution of higher learning.
Founded on 1 September 1973, MNU holds the distinction of being the Maldives’ first university and its longest-serving provider of tertiary education. Its founding mandate, to create, acquire, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, remains central to its mission of improving individual livelihoods and advancing the nation’s cultural, social, and economic development.
That mission now extends across the country. MNU serves the largest student population of any higher education institution in the country, offering more than 200 academic programmes ranging from foundation-level qualifications to doctoral degrees.
Its reach goes beyond the capital. In addition to its principal campuses in Malé, the university operates four regional campuses across the atolls, reflecting a strategic commitment to broadening educational access and strengthening academic standards nationwide.