Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, has commended Maldivian engineers for their vital role in driving national development despite operating with limited resources, describing them as "national heroes” working tirelessly to build the nation.
Speaking at the inaugural Engineers' Awards ceremony—a landmark event graced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu—Minister Muththalib emphasised that local engineers possess high qualifications and international recognition. He noted that foreign experts frequently praise the skill and competence demonstrated across local infrastructure initiatives.
Given the geographical reality of the Maldives as low-lying coral island formations, the Minister highlighted that engineering projects require tailored designs that work in harmony with the delicate marine environment. He praised local professionals for executing complex harbours, airports, causeways, and land reclamation projects suited to these unique ecological constraints.
The ceremony marked the first government-backed award scheme dedicated to recognising the engineering sector, aimed at honouring technical innovation, encouraging youth to enter the profession, and promoting climate-resilient solutions.
The prestigious Engineer of the Year award was conferred upon Dr Furqaan Ibrahim, a veteran professional with over two decades of expertise across engineering, research, energy, and management, currently serving at Male' Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). Dr Furqan also secured the Engineering Innovation, Technology, Education and Research Award.
Three engineering stalwarts were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their decades of transformative service:
Abdul Shakoor Solih, former Managing Director of STELCO, recognised for his 50-year career advancing power generation and distribution.
The late Ahmed Mahreen, honoured for over 40 years of service in aviation and regional airport infrastructure.
The late Mohamed Rasheed, former Chairman and CEO of STELCO, commemorated for over 50 years of dedicated leadership in the national power sector.
In corporate achievements, MWSC secured both the Sustainability Champion Award for its solar-powered and NAS battery-driven "Decarbonised Seawater Desalination System" and the Community Impact Award for its integrated utility project in Dhuvaafaru, Raa Atoll.
Other individual honours included Mohamed Zidan Hassan (Young Engineer), Asrar (Women in Engineering), and Hussain Jaushan (Student Innovator).
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, a total of 77 applications were submitted across 10 categories, evaluated by a seven-member expert panel.
Minister Muththalib reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding initiatives that showcase technical professions to school students, inspiring the next generation of engineers to shape the country's sustainable future.