Maldives to prioritize STEM education loans and secure Japanese scholarship grants

The Maldives is implementing new measures to bolster its skilled workforce, specifically targeting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. President Mohamed Muizzu announced that half of all government-funded higher education loans will be allocated to STEM programs to increase the number of Maldivian professionals in these sectors within the next three to five years.

This educational shift is linked to national development goals, including a target to meet 30 per cent of the country’s energy needs through renewable sources by 2028. The government aims to promote science and mathematics pathways among secondary students to support industries such as ocean-based energy.

In a separate development regarding international educational support, the Maldives and Japan have signed an agreement for a MVR 14.7 million (approximately USD 951,915) grant. Provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the funds will support scholarship opportunities for Maldivian public sector employees to study at universities in Japan. Since 2020, 36 Maldivians have benefited from this partnership.