Maldives marked ITEC Day on December 30 with a ceremony organised by the High Commission of India in Malé, attended by Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haider. The event celebrated decades of collaboration between the two countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, focusing on capacity building, skill development, and professional training.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dr Ali Haider praised India’s long-standing support in human resource development and scholarships, which have strengthened bilateral relations since 1965. He highlighted that Maldivian students and professionals have gained valuable skills through India’s training initiatives in areas such as governance, administration, technical expertise, and leadership development.
India has offered significant scholarship opportunities to Maldivians through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), including 34 fully funded scholarships for the 2023–24 academic year across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in fields such as engineering, science, arts, and business. Since 2012–13, more than 170 Maldivian students have pursued higher education in India through ICCR scholarships.
Under the ITEC programme, Maldives has also benefited from in-person training, with at least 174 participants in 2022–23 and over 200 in 2023–24. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the programme adapted to offer online training (e‑ITEC), which has reached more than 650 Maldivian participants to date.
The ITEC Day celebration featured a video presentation showcasing past scholarship and training initiatives, highlighting alumni and current participants engaged in professional development courses in India. The event underscored the role of educational cooperation in equipping Maldivian professionals with advanced skills and knowledge, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The programme continues to expand, fostering people-to-people ties, academic collaboration, and opportunities for the next generation of Maldivians.
