Maldives and Australia Launch Second Phase of Cyber Resilience Fellowship in Malé

The Maldives has commenced the second phase of the Cyber Resilience Fellowship, a strategic collaboration between the President's Office and Australia's Edith Cowan University (ECU). This initiative, delivered under the Australia Awards Fellowship Programme 2026, aims to fortify the nation's digital defenses and deepen security ties between the two countries. Running from June 28 to July 2 in Malé, the current phase builds upon the foundational knowledge established during the program's first installment, which took place in Australia earlier this year. The fellowship focuses on equipping Maldivian officials with the technical expertise required to navigate an increasingly complex global threat landscape. Fifteen specialists from various government ministries and state institutions are participating in the training. These individuals, who previously completed the first phase of the fellowship, are now engaging in intensive sessions led by ECU researchers. The curriculum emphasizes practical, simulation-based training in critical areas, including cyber attack incident response and threat management. By enhancing the skills of these key personnel, the program seeks to strengthen the capacity of state institutions to protect the Maldives' critical digital infrastructure. This effort aligns directly with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's "Maldives 2.0 Digitalisation" vision, which seeks to modernize the country's governance through secure and sustainable technology. The President's Office highlighted the fellowship as a pivotal step in institutional development. Through the exchange of high-level knowledge and technical cooperation, the Maldives and Australia are working toward a resilient digital future that can withstand evolving cyber threats. The partnership began in January, with the first phase of the joint program running from January 19 to February 3 in Australia, marking the start of this comprehensive security cooperation.