Maldives gazettes new regulation to register and operate universities

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development has gazetted the Regulation on Registering and Operating Universities in the Maldives, published as 2026/R-86 in the Government Gazette of 26 September 2026 (Volume 55, Number 154). The regulation sets the conditions for registering a university, for converting a college into a university and for foreign universities operating in the country, and it binds all existing and prospective higher-education providers and their students. It takes effect from the date of its publication in the gazette.

The regulation was made under Article 71(a)(2) of the Higher Education and Training Act, Law No. 7/2021, and runs to 55 articles across ten chapters and seven schedules. Its stated purpose is to apply a single standard to the registration, operation and dissolution of universities in the Maldives. On taking effect it repeals the earlier regulation 2022/R-72 on registering and operating universities.

Who may register a university

• A college that has operated continuously in the Maldives for at least 15 years and meets the conditions set out in Article 5; or
• a university registered and operating in a foreign country for at least 10 years.

Applications are filed on a ministry form or through a dedicated online portal, with a proposal, a draft charter and evidence of compliance. A technical committee of at least five members — two with higher-education experience, a senior ministry official, a senior official of the Maldives Qualifications Authority and a finance-sector member — prepares an assessment report within three months, after which the ministry decides within one month.

From college to university

A registered college seeking university status must meet additional conditions, including:

• Level 7 and above programmes in at least three different fields, and level 9 (master’s) programmes in at least three related fields;
• at least 1,000 students enrolled in level 7 and above courses accredited under the Maldives National Qualifications Framework;
• participation in an international university ranking or rating system;
• membership of an international university association;
• international-level research experience;
• at least 10 per cent of academic staff holding a PhD or a level 10 qualification; and
• adequate physical, academic and administrative facilities.

Foreign providers, charter and governance

A university from a foreign country may be registered if it meets the Article 4(b) conditions and the requirements of regulation 2022/R-81 on registering and operating centres that provide higher education in the Maldives from abroad. Once approved, a university’s charter is signed by the minister and published in the Government Gazette; changes to the charter must be decided within 30 days of submission.

The university council is the highest governing body, chaired by the chancellor, and includes the vice chancellor, deputy vice chancellors, nominated and elected members, and two members appointed by the founder. A quorum requires at least two-thirds of members. An academic senate handles academic standards, admissions, examinations and awards.

Fees, oversight and penalties

• Registration of a main campus: MVR 100,000; an additional campus or change of campus building: MVR 15,000; a learning centre: MVR 3,000; an outreach centre: MVR 2,500; renewal: MVR 500; replacement of a lost registry: MVR 2,000.
• The minister may cancel a registration after a 30-day notice and a three-month period to remedy, on the recommendation of a five-member panel.
• Using an emblem, flag, colour or motto without registration carries a fine of MVR 5,000.
• Universities must submit statistics before 30 January and an annual report before 31 March each year, and an audited financial report within six months of the year’s end; the Maldives Qualifications Authority audits each university every three years.

For students, staff and providers, the regulation fixes in one text the thresholds for becoming a university, the governance bodies that must be in place, and the deadlines and fees that follow. With the repeal of 2022/R-72, every existing provider now operates under the 2026 rules.

Source: Government Gazette of the Maldives, No. 154, 26 September 2026, section I (official reference: 2026/R-86).