News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — For Saifulla Muslim, the evening of the education exhibition was charged with a mix of hope and anxiety. “After my A-level exams, I was looking for something challenging,” he recalls. Saifulla, determined not to follow in his parents’ footsteps as teachers, found his calling in medicine.
Today, Dr. Saifulla Muslim, along with 21 of his peers, is part of the first graduating class of doctors from the Maldives National University (MNU). Today, coinciding with World Youth Skills Day, this achievement symbolizes not just personal triumph but a significant leap for the nation’s healthcare system.
A native of Sh. Milandhoo, Dr. Saifulla was initially guided by educational advisors at the educational fair towards the opportunity to study locally. The Malaysian university representatives at the exhibition informed him of their plans to launch an MBBS program with MNU in the Maldives, sparking his interest.
The MNU’s MBBS program, launched in September 2018 in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), represents a bold initiative in nurturing local talent. UKM, ranked among the world’s top 200 universities, brought academic rigor and international expertise to the program, ensuring its graduates met high global standards.
For Saifulla and his classmates, the journey has been rigorous. They gained theoretical knowledge from experienced doctors from Malaysia and the Maldives, while honing their practical skills at local hospitals such as Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and ADK Hospital. The faculty members take immense pride in the students’ accomplishments and the challenges they have overcome in establishing this program.
“Being the first batch, it was very fulfilling,” says Dr. Saifulla, who also served as vice president of the faculty students’ union, nurturing his leadership skills. Speaking to Truth MV, he reflected on the journey that shaped his path to becoming a doctor.
The financial burden of medical education, approximately MVR 75,000 annually, was alleviated by the Maldivian government’s free degree program, making this opportunity accessible to many. This initiative has already seen 220 students enrolled in the MBBS course, highlighting the growing interest and need for homegrown medical professionals.
As Dr. Saifulla looks forward to his graduation ceremony in October, he reflects on the broader impact of this achievement. “It’s not just about becoming a doctor,” he says. “It’s about contributing to the health and well-being of our community and paving the way for future generations.”
World Youth Skills Day, celebrated globally today, acknowledges the potential of young people to drive change and innovation. In the Maldives, while the celebration might be subdued, the first class of MNU’s MBBS graduates stands as a testament to the nation’s investment in its youth to build a healthier future.
