MNU achieves global quality accreditation

The Maldives National University (MNU) has attainment global accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the United Kingdom's independent authority renowned for ensuring quality in higher education worldwide.

While it is mandatory for all UK universities to undergo evaluation by the QAA, international universities can voluntarily undergo their evaluation - the International Quality Review to attain QAA’s accreditation.

MNU passed the QAA’s rigorous process on International Quality Review (IQR) in October.

In a press conference on Saturday, Dr. Mohamed Shareef, Vice Chancellor of MNU, conveyed his profound satisfaction with the achievement and wholeheartedly thanked the entire MNU community.

He specifically acknowledged the vital contributions of the academic and administrative staff, as well as the students in attaining this global recognition to MNU.

He characterized this significant accomplishment as the successful conclusion of a journey that commenced in 2021 signifying the commitment of MNU staff to ensure the highest quality of all its services

MNU's delight at the achievement comes as no surprise, because ever since MNU’s inception, the dedication to upholding the quality of its services and maintaining highest international standards as per its mission, has been clear and steadfast, he said.

He said that MNU has consistently strived to make significant contributions towards the reformulation and enhancement of quality standards at MNU.

Chris Bland, QAA’s Head of Accreditation and Consultancy, said the authority was delighted to announce that the MNU has achieved its global quality accreditation.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with our colleagues in the Maldives and look forward to working with them again in the future,” he said.

The global accreditation is valid for a five-year period, and has been conferred upon international institutions that successfully meet the exacting criteria of IQR.

The IQR benchmarks global institutions against international quality assurance standards as delineated in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). 

In addition, this accreditation fulfils the requirement to become a full member of the QAA.

This comprehensive and rigorous evaluation at MNU spanned nearly two years, and involved a thorough examination of the university's governance, teaching and learning methodologies, curriculum design processes, student support mechanisms and internal quality assurance protocols.

Following various levels of reporting, site-visits and follow-up based on the reviewer’s report, MNU was found to be in full compliance with all 10 standards outlined in Part 1 of the ESG. In their assessment, the review team highlighted three areas of exemplary practice at MNU:

The strong and ever-growing links with industry and other external stakeholders;

The outreaching processes to introduce MNU to prospective students; and

The initiatives of internal and external quality assurance mechanism.

By attaining this prestigious global accreditation, MNU affirmed its dedication to delivering exceptional quality education, and ensuring that it remains at the forefront of academic excellence in the Maldives and beyond.

MNU said the accreditation also allows the university to become a full international member of the QAA community.