Diploma in Corruption Investigation to Be Launched by MANACA Next Year

The Maldives National Anti-Corruption Academy (MANACA) has announced plans to officially launch a Diploma in Corruption Investigation course next year, aiming to address the shortage of technically qualified investigators for corruption cases in the Maldives. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed that the course, accredited by the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA), is designed to solve human resource difficulties caused by a lack of specially trained investigators. The ACC noted that filling this gap is essential for maintaining trust in the state justice system and institutions. MANACA Director General Ibrahim Thaaib stated that the biggest challenge in thoroughly investigating corruption cases is the shortage of technically qualified and trained investigators. He highlighted that the MQA-accredited diploma is an important step toward building a new generation of investigators meeting modern international standards. The diploma program will cover behavioral standards, integrity, case management, evidence collection, secure preservation, chain of custody, digital forensics, forensic analysis of financial transactions and documents, state financial systems, procurement regulations, fraud identification, interview techniques, and modern technical skills for intelligence collection and analysis. MANACA is also working across three sectors: providing anti-corruption investigation techniques, leadership skills, and legal awareness to strengthen ACC teams; running short courses for government institutions and state-shareholding companies to identify corruption risks; and rolling out the diploma program to build national investigative human resources. The course is expected to provide a sustainable solution to the lack of qualified investigators, enhancing the integrity of state institutions and bolstering anti-corruption efforts at the national level.