The President's Office has published the regulation on registration of higher education and training centres, requiring all colleges and universities in the Maldives to be audited every three years. The President's Office published the new regulation in the government gazette, under the Maldives Higher Education Act to standardise the registration process of higher education and training centres.
According to the regulation, higher education and training centres will be approved for registration in the Maldives if they meet the criteria set by the Higher Education Act and the established regulations on such centres. In this regard, registered centres are required to conduct programmes that fit the standards set by the Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF), and Maldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA). Centres are also required to register at the Ministry of Higher Education and conduct higher education and training programmes that are approved by a regulatory authority.
The new regulation also states that the centres are required to conduct its programmes in buildings approved by the higher education ministry. Additionally, the centres are required to establish its policies on students and have them posted at the centre where students can see.
The regulation also requires MNQF to audit higher education and training centres every three years to determine their quality and adherence to standards. Furthermore, the centres are required to allow the higher education ministry, MNQF, and MNSDA to monitor and observe the centres and programmes to confirm adherence to the rights of students.
The regulation aims to provide more independence and responsibility to the higher education and training centres operating in the Maldives, as well as hold them accountable.