Faiha wins essay competition held by UNOPS and IUM

Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) student Aminath Faiha Naseem has won first place at an essay competition held by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Sri Lanka and Maldives, in collaboration with IUM.

The essay competition was held in November 2021 on the topic of ‘consumerism and climate change’.

Climate change is one of the most significant existential challenges faced by the Maldives. UNOPS states that fighting climate change is a key ambition in its strategic plan for the period 2022-25.

UNOPS said that it is collaborating with IUM to engage with the youth in the Maldives on the significant topic.

Faiha, who wrote the winning essay by competing against three other contestants, was presented an USD 2,000 cheque as tuition subsidy in a ceremony held at IUM on Tuesday afternoon.

The cheque was presented to her by Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager, UNOPS.

Speaking at the ceremony, Muralidharan said that fighting climate change was central to the UNOPS mission in Maldives.

UNOPS has a history of supporting Maldives by implementing projects in integrated water management, resident infrastructure, sustainable public procurement and climate change adaptation.

All contestants were presented with certificates of recognition by IUM’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Ibrahim Zakariyya Moosa.

Tuesday’s ceremony was also attended by senior members of the management, faculties and the student body of IUM.