President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has underscored the pivotal contribution of Maldivian engineers to the nation's infrastructural and economic development, expressing his vision to fully localise the engineering workforce.
The President made these remarks during an interaction with engineering students from the Maldives National University's (MNU) Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, held at his official residence, Mulee'aage. Convened on National Engineers' Day, the meeting sought to engage students directly and understand their challenges within the sector.
Students outlined several academic and practical constraints. They highlighted that a shortage of dedicated laboratories and modern equipment restricts essential hands-on training, while architecture students noted the absence of tailored studio spaces and the lack of local postgraduate programmes in their discipline. They also raised concerns that qualified Maldivian graduates struggle to secure employment owing to irregular expatriate workers in the industry.
In response, the President said the decision to designate a National Engineers' Day aims to encourage more Maldivians to enter the field. He affirmed that young local graduates should not face barriers to employment, assuring students that the Government will implement measures to facilitate their entry into the workforce ahead of foreign labour.
The President added that the Administration will prioritise engineering when awarding High Achievers Scholarships and educational loans, and gave assurances of efforts to improve university-level learning resources and strengthen regulatory enforcement across the industry.
National Engineers' Day was designated as 30 August by the President in 2025, commemorating the inauguration of the Sinamalé Bridge – the largest infrastructure development project in Maldivian history.
