Maldives Australia Alumni-IUM holds third edition of Academic Holhuashi

Maldives Australia Alumni (MAA) in collaboration with the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) has successfully held the third edition of Academic Holhuashi, a national knowledge sharing forum.

Established in 2015, the MAA is a non-governmental organization that brings together Maldivians educated in Australia from various fields to contribute to the nation's social, economic, and technological development. Academic Holhuashi continues to be MAA’s flagship initiative, aimed at fostering critical thinking, encouraging public discourse, and supporting development grounded in evidence.

The third edition of the Academic Holhuashi was held on Saturday at IUM with support from the Australian Government through Australia Awards.

Held in hybrid format, the forum saw 74 participants, joining both in person and via Google Meet, with its reach further expanded through livestreaming. It brought together 21 Maldivians to share research, lived experiences, and practical insights on key national development issues

An online research and grant proposal writing webinar was held on Thursday with the participation of 27 participants to build momentum for the Academic Holhuashi.

The Academic Holhuashi forum was attended by Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives David Jessup as the chief guest, reaffirming the close and enduring ties between Australia and the Maldives, particularly through educational partnerships by increasing the number of scholarships provided to Maldivians through Australia Government Scholarships.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aminath Riyaz, a leading figure in higher education and a recipient of three Australian Government scholarships, in which she highlighted the critical role of purposeful knowledge and the need for greater investment in research-driven policy and planning.

Presentations at the forum covered a wide range of pressing issues, including:

●      Inclusive education and student absenteeism

●      Sustainable bioplastics as alternatives to single-use plastics

●      Mental health challenges among cancer patients and maternity policy gaps

●      Community policing and experiences in drug enforcement

●      Challenges faced by migrant communities and inclusive media frameworks

●      The transformation of Paralympic sports and research culture in higher education

●      Land use planning in Addu City

●      Civic tech innovations for preserving journalism and digital media

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled “From Global Experience to Local Impact: Alumni Shaping the Maldives,” which brought together distinguished alumni educated in diverse countries to share their insights on applying international knowledge to make a positive difference in the Maldives.