Ministry Hosts Children's Evening to Spark Interest in Engineering Careers

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development organized a special children’s evening to mark National Engineers’ Day, aiming to inspire the next generation of Maldivian innovators. Held on August 29, a day ahead of the official August 30 observance, the event drew significant public interest and provided an immersive introduction to the field of engineering. The initiative sought to familiarize children with the critical role engineers play in building infrastructure, driving economic development, and supporting national growth. By demystifying the profession, the ministry hopes to bridge the gap between academic study and professional application. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, emphasized the strategic importance of the event. He noted a concerning trend where too few school graduates are choosing to pursue engineering degrees. Dr. Muththalib stated that celebrating National Engineers' Day through youth engagement is essential to increasing the number of students entering the field and ensuring the country's future technical capacity. To bring the science to life, various government institutions and state-owned enterprises established interactive stalls. These exhibits allowed children and their families to engage in hands-on experiments and explore engineering concepts in a tangible way. Beyond the technical displays, the family-oriented atmosphere was enhanced with sports activities and gifts for participants. The event saw wide participation from key state entities, including the Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Male’ Water and Sewerage Company. Other contributors included Fenaka Corporation, State Electric Company, Road Development Corporation, Maldives Airports Company (MACL), Island Aviation Services, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, the Utilities Regulatory Authority, Maldives Ports Limited, and Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation.