Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Villa International High School (VIHS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a dedicated student internship programme aimed at providing young Maldivians with practical workplace experience and greater exposure to career opportunities within the aviation and corporate sectors.
The agreement was formally signed by MACL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed and VIHS Principal Ali Musthafa during a ceremony attended by senior management representatives from both institutions. Members of MACL’s Learning and Development team and the VIHS leadership team were also present, reflecting the institutional importance placed on strengthening education-to-employment pathways for students.
The internship programme is designed to bridge the gap between classroom-based learning and professional working environments by enabling students to gain practical experience across key operational areas at Velana International Airport, the Maldives’ principal international aviation gateway and one of the country’s most strategically important national infrastructure assets.
Under the programme, participating students will have opportunities to gain firsthand exposure to airport operations, engineering, information technology, customer service, logistics, corporate services, and safety and security. The diverse range of placements is expected to provide students with a broader understanding of the complex systems and specialised professional functions required to operate a modern international airport.
The programme will also introduce students to the day-to-day responsibilities involved in maintaining operational efficiency, passenger services, technical infrastructure, administrative functions, safety standards and other essential services supporting Velana International Airport. Such exposure is expected to help students make more informed decisions regarding higher education, professional development and future career pathways.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed said the initiative reflects MACL’s core commitment to “Empower and Develop Our People”. He highlighted that the company is extending this commitment beyond its existing workforce by supporting the development of the next generation of aviation and corporate professionals in the Maldives.
The internship structure places particular emphasis on developing essential workplace competencies, including effective communication, teamwork, accountability, adaptability, problem-solving and professional conduct. Through direct exposure to established workplace practices, students will also be able to strengthen their confidence, understand organisational responsibilities and become more familiar with professional expectations before entering the labour market.
The initiative complements the Maldives’ broader national emphasis on human capital development and creating stronger opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills aligned with the requirements of key economic sectors. Aviation remains particularly important to the Maldives due to the country’s geographical characteristics and its internationally connected tourism-driven economy, making the development of skilled local professionals an important component of long-term sectoral growth.
Velana International Airport continues to play a central role in supporting the Maldives’ international connectivity and economic development. Providing students with structured exposure to its operations offers a valuable opportunity to introduce young people to careers extending beyond traditional aviation roles, including engineering, technology, logistics, safety, administration, customer experience and corporate management.
The MoU also establishes the foundation for a broader strategic partnership between MACL and VIHS. In addition to student internships, the two institutions plan to collaborate on career-awareness programmes, industry presentations, educational site visits and structured mentorship opportunities designed to help students better understand professional environments and emerging career possibilities.
The partnership demonstrates the growing importance of collaboration between educational institutions and major national organisations in preparing young people for the future workforce. By combining academic learning with structured professional exposure, the programme is expected to strengthen students’ employability, career awareness and understanding of the skills required within increasingly specialised industries.
Through initiatives of this nature, MACL is also contributing to the development of a stronger pipeline of locally trained talent capable of supporting the continued growth, modernisation and operational excellence of the Maldives’ aviation sector. The collaboration with VIHS is expected to provide students with meaningful early exposure to one of the country’s most dynamic working environments while supporting the Government’s wider objective of developing skilled, capable and employment-ready Maldivian youth.
advertisment
advertisment
