Minister says preliminary works on research grant fund underway

Higher education minister Dr Mariyam Mariya has said that the establishment of a national research grant fund is underway under President Mohamed Muizzu's presidential pledge to increase the amount of scientific research in various fields.

Mariya made the remarks in an interview with Atoll Times last week after taking over the post, sharing the work being done by the ministry.

"The fund is set up. The research fund has also been included as a pledge in 'Week 14' [the 100-day pledges]," she said.

The minister highlighted some of the work being done by the team formed to establish the fund. As such, she said:

“... We are looking at what areas are most important to us, what areas of research will benefit the country and what areas of research can empower the youth and other citizens,” she said.

President Muizzu has said during the presidential campaign that the issues facing Maldives should be studied scientifically and appropriate solutions should be found.