Villa contracted to operate junior college in Kendhikulhudhoo

Villa Educational Services has been contracted to develop and operate a junior college in N. Kendhikulhudhoo.

The project is part of Higher Education Ministry’s efforts to develop higher education and training centers across Maldives.

The junior college project in Kendhikulhudhoo was contracted to Villa under the build, finance and operate public private partnership model.

The 50-year contract was signed by Villa College’s Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb and Higher Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Fathimath Hilmy on Wednesday.

According to the Higher Education Ministry, the junior college in Kendhikulhudhoo will specialize in tourism and hospitality courses.

An 86,000 square feet plot has been allocated in Kendhikulhudhoo to develop the college.

“Once all phases of the project are complete, the junior college will have an institute block and an accommodation block. And a tourist facility will be developed with the institute to provide vocational training and practical training in tourism and hospitality,” said the ministry.

The ministry said the college will have at least six classrooms, an ICT lab, an auditorium and a library. The college will also have an administrative area, staff room, student support services, meetings rooms, and study rooms.

The college will also have an activity room to promote physical wellbeing of students and other basic facilities.

The signing of the contract was witnessed by Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan, who said it marked the realization of a years-old dream.

He congratulated the people of Kendhikulhudhoo, the local council, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, and Villa.

“Developing a junior college in Kendhikulhudhoo is a long-time dream of the government. This is something that was written in the government’s manifesto in bold letters, and has been spent heavily on. This dream was realized today because of the efforts of many. I especially note the support of the Kendhikulhudhoo MP and the effort he made and the interest he showed, as well as the effort of the council,” he said.

Ibrahim said the will play a huge role in the government’s efforts to equip the youth with the skills they need to enter the job market.

“We hope to see the youth of the island develop a good work ethic, get motivated to seek jobs, and see the social fabric of this nation improve and the economy prosper,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, MP Easa thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Higher Education Ministry, Villa College and the Kendhikulhudhoo Council for the project.

Villa is required to develop the junior college within 27 months.