Villa College to develop first polytechnic by a private party in the atolls

Villa Educational Services has been contracted to develop the first polytechnic by a private party in the atolls.

The agreement pertaining to the project was signed on Monday, with Permanent Secretary Fathimath Hilmy representing Higher Education Ministry and Villa College’s Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb representing Villa Educational Services.

The polytechnic will be developed at K. Thulusdhoo under this agreement.

Higher Education Ministry said that the project is included under the government’s strategic action plan for the development and operation of higher educational institutes. The project will be undertaken on a public-private partnership basis.

This polytechnic will specialize in mid-standard tourism technicality courses and water sports. However, vocational training in other areas will also be provided at the institution.

Thulusdhoo Council has allocated a plot of land measuring in 32,581.25 square meters from the island for the polytechnic, alongside 1,208.33 square meters of land from the beachfront for water sports training.

At the completion of the development, the polytechnic will have a teaching block and an accommodation block. This will include at least six classrooms, an ICT laboratory, auditorium and a library. An area will also be allocated for administrative services. In addition to this, a staff room, a student service area, meeting rooms and study rooms will be established.

Further resources for teaching tourism related subjects will also be established.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan remarked the agreement would result in a lot of benefits.

“The agreement executed today will benefit in more than one way. If the information I have received is correct, this is the first agreement between a private party and the government to establish a polytechnic within the atolls. Apart from this, it is an opportunity for youths in the tourism industry to attain related educational qualifications and attain the relevant skillsets,” he detailed.

Vice Rector Najeeb who also spoke at the ceremony said that Villa College’s tourism and water sports related courses adhered to modern standards.

“We have released over 300 students to the market in the area of water sports and aquatics. A similar amount of students, or more have been released to the tourism sector in the area of diving,” he added.

Najeeb said that the hope is to make the institution operational within the next two years.