President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday officially ratified an amendment to the Higher Education and Training Act, a landmark move set to streamline the process for colleges seeking university status in the Maldives.

The new law reduces the minimum operational period for a college to qualify for university registration from 20 years to 15, creating opportunities for institutions that have reached this milestone.

The amendment, proposed by ruling party lawmaker for South Maafannu, Abdullah Rifau, was approved by Parliament last Wednesday and sent to the President for final ratification.

The legislation aims to broaden access to tertiary education and strengthen the nation’s university system, which currently includes only the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM).

While the amendment primarily focuses on domestic colleges, existing provisions allowing foreign-recognised universities to register locally after 10 years remain unchanged.

In addition to shortening the operational requirement, the amendment introduces detailed criteria for university conversion.

Colleges must demonstrate academic breadth, infrastructure capacity, and international recognition.

Key requirements include offering programmes at Maldives National Qualifications Framework Levels 7 and 9 in at least three fields, enrolling a minimum of 1,000 students in Level 7 or higher courses, and maintaining a strong research profile through international collaborations.

Applicants must also be internationally rated or ranked, hold membership in global university and quality assurance organisations for at least five years, and ensure that at least 10 percent of their academic staff teaching at the collegiate level hold PhDs.

With President Muizzu’s ratification, these amendments are now in force, establishing a framework designed to accelerate the growth of tertiary institutions while maintaining high standards for university education in the Maldives.