New Dhidhdhoo Dormitory Aims to Keep Students Closer to Home

The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) will build a modern student dormitory in Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, as part of a national push to decentralize higher education. The contract was signed by Permanent Secretary Aishath Hikma for the Ministry of Higher Education and MTCC Deputy Managing Director Ahmed Shareef Abdul Rahman Yoosuf. Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, present at the ceremony, stated the project had faced earlier delays but is now advancing under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's policy of assigning major infrastructure to state-owned enterprises. The new 'Dhanaal' dormitory will feature 32 fully equipped rooms with en-suite bathrooms, alongside shared kitchens, a dining hall, laundry, gym, and recreational spaces. It is designed to provide a comfortable, supportive living environment for students attending the local junior college, which is being developed as a vocational hub offering courses in hospitality, automotive technology, welding, and engineering. Minister Ahmed emphasized the initiative reflects the government's commitment to equal access to quality education and training for youth across all atolls. By strengthening local education opportunities, the project aims to reduce the need for students to relocate to the capital, Malé, and support regional development. This effort is part of a broader national strategy that includes similar junior college projects, upgrades to campuses of the Maldives National University and the Islamic University of Maldives, and the construction of additional student accommodation. The overarching goal is to bring higher education and job-ready skills closer to island communities, enabling young people to access opportunities within their home regions.