Islamic University of Maldives Partners with Al-Azhar to Boost Academic Standards

The Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) is seeking to expand its academic infrastructure and faculty expertise through a strategic partnership with Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Vice Chancellor Dr. Ali Zahir recently met with the Grand Imam and Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Al-Tayyeb, to outline a roadmap for elevating the institution's academic standing. The discussions focused primarily on establishing robust capacity-building frameworks and professional development programs. These initiatives are designed to benefit both the student body and university staff, ensuring that IUM remains competitive and current in its pedagogical approach. Currently, the cooperation between the two institutions includes the deployment of two visiting professors from Al-Azhar to the Maldives. These specialists provide critical expertise in the field of Quranic recitation. During the meeting, Dr. Zahir expressed his gratitude for this ongoing support while emphasizing the need for further collaborations to bolster standards specifically within Quranic and Islamic studies. Al-Azhar University, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious centers of Islamic learning, has spanned over a millennium of academic history. Under the guidance of the Grand Imam, the institution continues to serve as a global authority on religious and academic affairs. Dr. Zahir was accompanied during the high-level talks by a delegation of senior IUM representatives, including Deputy Vice Chancellor Ahmed Ameen Mohamed. The meeting underscores the Maldives' commitment to integrating global academic standards into its local higher education system, ensuring that students have access to world-class scholarship in Islamic disciplines.