Surge in unapproved online courses, no certificate acceptance: MQA

Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) said yesterday that cases of unapproved online programs and courses have been on the rise, stating that certifications being used to run such courses will not be accepted.

As per a press release, MQA said yesterday they had received information some centers were operating in violation of the permission given by MQA under the National Competency Standards to the Maldives National Skills Development Authority. 

MQA's statement reads that even though discussions are being held for programs under National Competency Standards to be run online, the authority has not given permission for programs to operate online as of yet.

"With this, we state that we will not be accepting any certification from online programs that were not given permission by MQA under National Competency Standards," stated MQA.

MQA's statement further reads that determining whether higher education and education programs in Maldives are designed as per the quality and in line with regulations, permitting programs, accreditation, composing audit regulations and enforcing it are all responsibilities of the authority.

MQA's statement also reads that checking the quality of higher education centers and those who teach programs at such centers are responsibilities of the MQA under the Maldives Higher Education and Training Act.

Other cases where courses are run and certificates awarded without MQA's permission have come to light in the past as well.