Low number of engineering students concerning, says Minister

The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib on Thursday said that the low number of Maldivians pursuing education in engineering was concerning and added the need for scholarship opportunities in the field.

While speaking at the prize-day ceremony of Kalaafaanu School on Thursday evening, the minister highlighted the importance of engineers in a developing country.

“However, it is deeply concerning that most young people do not pursue education in this field,” the minister said.

He further noted that the concern was raised multiple times at various cabinet meetings as well, and he had spoken with the Minister of Higher Education voicing complaints about the lack of scholarship opportunities in the field.

“Social science subjects are quite important, but for a country to develop infrastructurally then we need to prioritize scholarships in crucial fields, he added.

The minister also stressed the importance of prioritizing loan facilities for the projects that benefit the country the most.

While commending the decision by several working-class students who choose to pursue higher education in the Maldives while taking care of their parents and attending full-time jobs, the minister urged to take the opportunities they receive in pursuing full-time education abroad.

He also noted that attaining good exam results was an important part of the academic life, but the ‘campus life’ at foreign universities provide students with real-world experiences that help them pursue professional careers.

At the time the minister has raised concerns about the lack of scholarship opportunities for engineering students, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday had declared August 30 as the National Engineers’ Day which would be celebrated every year.

President Muizzu declared the National Engineers’ Day in commemoration of the inauguration of the largest-ever infrastructure project completed in the Maldives; the Sinamale’ Bridge.

The presidential decree also stated that all celebratory activities commemorating the National Engineers’ Day will be organized and executed by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure.