Villa College, the largest private higher education institution in the Maldives, celebrated the graduation of 1,237 students during a formal ceremony held on Saturday.

The graduates, who completed their Master's, Post-Graduate Diplomas, Post-Graduate Certificates, and Bachelor's Degrees, were recognized in two separate sessions.

The event was attended by Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, Villa College Founder and Chairman Gasim Ibrahim, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England, Professor Sir Steve West.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gasim Ibrahim extended his congratulations to the graduates and expressed his optimism about their future contributions to the country.

He emphasized that the shortage of skilled professionals and academics poses a significant challenge to the economy and encouraged graduates to apply their knowledge in practical fields.

Villa College Vice Rector, Dr. Ali Najeeb, highlighted the increasing number of female graduates, with women making up 70% of this year’s cohort.

He also noted that the overall graduation rate increased by 10%, with 60% of the students completing Villa College’s own programs.

Reflecting on the institution’s growth, Dr. Najeeb announced plans to introduce new programs in the coming year, reinforcing the trust and confidence students have in Villa College.

Founded with just four classrooms and 54 students, Villa College now offers over 150 programs, including partnerships with universities in Malaysia and the UK.

The ceremony marked another milestone for Villa College as it continues to play a pivotal role in developing skilled professionals across a wide range of fields in the Maldives.