MQA appeals High Court ruling on PhD recognition
Last month, the High Court overturned the earlier ruling, directing the MQA to recognize the PhDs.
The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the recent High Court ruling that ordered the acceptance of PhD certificates issued through a foreign college partnership programme.
The case revolves around a contentious PhD course conducted by AIMS College, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with institutions from the Philippines.
In 2016, the MQA initially approved the PhD programme offered by AIMS College, and the arrangement was publicly announced, giving students the green light to enrol.
However, in 2018, the MQA reversed its stance and declared the course unrecognised.
Despite the rejection, students who had already commenced the programme were assured that their PhDs would be accepted upon completion.
In 2021 when students who finished the programme submitted their PhD certificates for approval, only to have them rejected by the MQA.
Three students subsequently filed a lawsuit in the Civil Court, seeking validation of their degrees. However, the Civil Court ruled against them, stating there was no basis to accept the certificates.
The students appealed the Civil Court's decision to the High Court. Last month, the High Court overturned the earlier ruling, directing the MQA to recognise the PhDs.
The MQA, however, opposed the High Court's decision and has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s registry shows that the appeal was submitted on Sunday.
The MQA argues that the PhD programme should not be recognised for two main reasons:
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Lack of approval by a foreign education oard: The programme’s recognition is contingent upon being approved by the national education authorities of the host country. Since the programme did not receive formal recognition from relevant bodies in Sri Lanka or the Philippines, the MQA argues that it cannot endorse it.
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PhD programmes restricted to universities: According to Maldivian education policy, only universities—not colleges—are authorised to conduct PhD programmes. The MQA emphasises that it cannot accept a PhD certificate issued through a college, even if offered in collaboration with a foreign partner.
