Dr Zahir worked sincerely to develop education: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with Dr Mohamed Zahir Hussain, ODRI, the outgoing Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), and expressed his gratitude for his years of service and contributions to the Maldivian education sector.

During the meeting at the President’s Office this morning, President Muizzu commended Dr Zahir Hussain’s pivotal role in advancing the Government’s Basic Education Programme, establishing community schools and atoll education centres, and raising public awareness about education.

The President highlighted the outgoing Chancellor’s efforts to strengthen higher education and support nationwide initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Maldivian education.

Dr Zahir Hussain described his tenure at IUM as a distinct honor and expressed his appreciation to the President for entrusting him with the role. He also praised the President’s initiatives to enhance the national education system.

In recognition of his distinguished service, the President presented Dr Zahir with a letter of appreciation. The letter noted his contributions to expanding higher education during his tenure at IUM and previously at the Maldives National University (MNU), as well as his decade-long service as Minister of Education.

The President underscored Dr Zahir’s work in modernizing the education system, incorporating Maldivian values into the curriculum, expanding Arabic-Islamic education, and implementing the landmark Basic Education Programme.

Dr Mohamed Zahir Hussain has dedicated 49 years and 9 months of service to the State, including over 33 years in the Maldivian education sector. He was conferred the Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (ODRI) on 10 November 2008 and received the Highest Honour for Service to Maldivian Education from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Republic Day 2024.