On December 30, the Maldives celebrated ITEC Day with a distinguished ceremony hosted by the High Commission of India in Malé and graced by Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haider. The event paid tribute to the enduring educational collaboration between the Maldives and India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme — an initiative dedicated to capacity building, professional training, and the advancement of human capital.

In his address, Minister Dr Ali Haider lauded India’s decades-long commitment to developing Maldivian human resources and expanding scholarship opportunities — an alliance that has flourished since 1965. He emphasised the transformative impact of Indian-led training in governance, administration, technical fields, and leadership for Maldivian students and professionals.

Under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), India has extended an impressive array of scholarship opportunities, including 34 fully funded placements for the 2023–24 academic year across diverse disciplines. Since 2012–13, over 170 Maldivian scholars have pursued undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in India, spanning engineering, science, the arts, and business.

The ITEC programme itself continues to make a tangible difference, with at least 174 Maldivians benefiting from in-person training in 2022–23 and over 200 in 2023–24. During the pandemic, ITEC seamlessly adapted to virtual learning, delivering online (e-ITEC) courses to more than 650 participants to date.

A highlight of the ITEC Day celebration was a captivating video presentation that spotlighted alumni and current participants as they pursued professional development in India. The event underscored the pivotal role of educational cooperation in equipping Maldivian talent with advanced skills, further deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.

With each passing year, the ITEC programme expands its reach — strengthening people-to-people connections, academic collaboration, and unlocking new horizons for the next generation of Maldivians.