Nasheed suggests MMRI be named after Maizaan Hassan Manik

The Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has asked for the Maldives Marine Research Institute to be renamed after Maizaan Hassan Manik.

“He returned to the country as the first Maldivian to study marine biology,” said Nasheed, who was addressing a letter to gain the approval of the Parliament to rename the former Marine Research Center to Maldives Marine Research Institute.

Nasheed stated that it was his wish that the institute is given a name related to Maizaan Hassan Manik who was the founder of the center, according to the Speaker. Nasheed also praised Maizaan Hassan Manik as a scientist and an artist.

The issue has now been forwarded to the Government Oversight Committee of the Parliament. The recommended name change is also accompanied by some changes to the mandate of the Institute.

The institute’s mandate now includes planning, coordinating and conducting scientific research on marine resources of the country in addition to undertaking marine research directed at the conservation, enhancement, and management of the marine environment and to disseminate the knowledge to the government and the public.

The institute will also be tasked with developing and enhancing mariculture scientifically and to provide expert knowledge to the Fisheries Ministry regarding conservative fishing practices.