President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stressed the need to place greater emphasis on training students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
He made these remarks during the third episode of Rayyithunnaa Eku, a podcast hosted by the President’s Office to share information directly with the public, address their concerns, and answer their questions.
The President reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to expanding higher education opportunities both within the Maldives and overseas. He noted that one of the key priorities of the Government is to nurture a generation of graduates with expertise across a range of fields.
However, he expressed concern over the recent decline in the number of students pursuing STEM-related disciplines. Citing his experiences from overseas visits, the President observed that most Maldivian students abroad tend to focus on fields like Accounting and Finance. While these areas remain important, he emphasised the equally vital need for professionals in STEM to support the country’s development.
President Dr Muizzu pointed out that the current shortage of STEM professionals has made it necessary to rely on foreign workers, particularly in critical areas such as medicine and engineering. He highlighted the lack of engineers, quantity surveyors, and other technical experts needed to support the many ongoing infrastructure projects in the Maldives.
To address this, the Government has started prioritising STEM disciplines in both educational loan schemes and public sector recruitment. The President noted that graduates in STEM fields are now given preference for Government jobs, with attractive salary packages designed to encourage more students to enter these essential sectors.
Concluding the episode, President Dr Muizzu invited the public to continue engaging with him through Rayyithunnaa Eku, reiterating that citizens are welcome to ask him any questions on issues that matter to them.
