Atmosphere Foundation officially launched the second group of its “Zero to Divemaster” Scholarship Programme on Saturday with an inauguration ceremony in Vilimale’. The new cohort of students began their training on the same day.

In partnership with Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre, the Zero to Divemaster Scholarship Programme is a three-month professional training course that provides young Maldivians with no prior diving experience the chance to become certified PADI Divemasters. The initiative aims to create pathways for rewarding careers in the Maldives' tourism and diving sectors.

Ten students were selected for the second batch, consisting of five women and five men. Admission was highly competitive, with candidates chosen through a rigorous process that included professional interviews.

To remove financial barriers, the scholarship covers all course fees, training materials, and PADI registration costs. Students also receive free accommodation, daily meals, and dive insurance throughout the program, enabling them to focus entirely on their training.

This launch comes shortly after the successful graduation of the first phase of the programme, celebrated at a closing ceremony on Tuesday. Three graduates from that batch have already secured employment in the tourism industry, highlighting the programme’s potential to open meaningful career opportunities for young Maldivians.

The immediate commencement of the second batch demonstrates Atmosphere Foundation’s ongoing commitment to investing in youth, enhancing local skills, and supporting the growth of the Maldivian diving industry. Through initiatives like the Zero to Divemaster Scholarship Programme, the Foundation continues to create opportunities that empower communities and contribute to the sustainable development of the country’s blue economy.