Some Sri Lanka institutes suspended, MQA urges caution

Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has warned students against resuming studies at some higher education institutions in Sri Lanka that have been suspended.

In a statement shared on social media yesterday, MQA CEO Fizana Rasheed advised Maldivian students in Sri Lanka to remain cautious and informed.

MQA said it had received information that some institutions registered under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) of Sri Lanka had been suspended. These include all campuses of Metropolitan College and E-Soft.

Students currently enrolled at these institutions are urged to inform the MQA as soon as possible via email at [email protected]. The authority has also requested the institutions not to resume any classes.

MQA issued a separate statement on Monday highlighting that some students travelling abroad for higher education had failed to obtain the required Recognition of the Intended Programme document, which is one of the key prerequisites for programme recognition by the authority.

MQA said that without this document students risk having their qualifications rejected, as the institutions may not meet the authority’s standards.

“The primary purpose of obtaining this document is to confirm that the institution is recognized by MQA, the programme is compliant with MNQF standards, and that the institution and programme are registered with the relevant authorities in the host country,” the statement read.

MQA said that if a student completes a programme without prior approval and seeks validation afterward, it will not be held responsible if the qualification is not recognized.