Shaffan, the first Maldivian to earn a PhD from Oxford

Promising young lawyer Mohamed Shaffan has become the first Maldivian to earn a PhD from the UK's Oxford University. 

Shaffan, who topped the Maldives in both O' Levels and A' Levels and received the President's Scholarship, graduated yesterday at the age of 30 after completing a four year PhD program. 

Shaffan's thesis was titled "On the Justifiability of Criminal Copyright Provisions: A (Harm) Principled Analysis".

Shaffan said that in addition to advocating in Maldivian courts, he is also compiling studies based on his thesis. 

Prior to leaving for his PhD program, Shaffan told Mihaaru News that being accepted at Oxford University was one of the biggest achievements of his life, which he secured through competing with the best 319 students globally. 

With exemplary results in his Masters program, he received a partial scholarship from Oxford's Law faculty. 

Following his global level achievements during his school days, Shaffan completed his degree at Kings College, London as one of the valedictorians. Although Shaffan chose to study at Oxford, he also received placement from Cambridge University.