Ibra concerned over regulation in change to university

Mandhu College founder and former MP Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has expressed heavy criticisms regarding the lowering of conditions where a college can be changed to a university and the work being done by the Ministry of Higher Education on the regulation being formed under the Higher Education and Training Act.

The Higher Education and Training Act was amended on 9th November 2025 where if a college has been operating for 15 years and if many other conditions are fulfilled, it is to be changed to a university.

The Ministry of Higher Education is currently working on forming the Regulation on Private Universities in line with the amendment.

Ibrahim took to Facebook regarding the chance Mandhu College got to express their opinion of the amendment, with him posting that it was an opportunity to "record that opinions were recorded".

Ibrahim made the accusation that the work being done is an attempt to lock up the university grading system, with Villa College being the exception to the rule.

"...I am also someone who spent a lot of time climbing from the lowest levels of the Maldivian education industry to its peak. I conducted my studies in that sector as well. I worked with industry experts and have formed close connections with them. I have not heard any of them say that this is a good idea. Those I have had discussions with have only had concerns," said Ibrahim on the Facebook post.

Along with criticizing the Higher Education's work in forming the regulation, Ibrahim also criticized PNC parliamentary group leader regarding the amendment to the act.

As per Ibrahim, when the relevant Parliament committee had worked to amend the Higher Education and Training Act, the Higher Education Ministry had spoken against it.

"However, Falah would be much better! He thinks that even building a university is as easy as putting a piece of wood on a long plank, lining up nuts and bolts and hitting it three times with a hammer," said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim also posted the email on the Facebook post sent to Mandhu College when their opinion was being sought. The answer read that the entire process in creating a private university is "an act of corruption as described by law." The email also read that Mandhu College will not be taking part in such an act.

As per the recent amendment to the Higher Education and Training Act, one of the requirements to register a university is to operate as a college for 15 consecutive years or to operate as a university in a foreign land for 10 consecutive years.

The other requirements in a registered college in Maldives to be changed to a university upon request:

The amendment states that the relevant guidelines need to be drawn up within two months of the bill being ratified.