Villa College hosted the second Psychology Symposium and Exhibition in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, on October 10, 2023, at the Villa College main hall, The event was inaugurated by the First Lady, Fazna Ahmed. The primary objective of the Symposium was to provide a platform for Villa College's psychology students to exhibit the knowledge, competencies, and skills they have cultivated throughout their years of education at the institution.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the holy Quran by a Bachelor of Psychology student at Villa College, Aishath Hana Shareef. Followed by the introductory remarks Dr. Aishath Nasheeda, Assistant Professor and MSc Counseling Coordinator, delivering the opening address at the Psychology Symposium. In her address, she highlighted the scarcity of service institutions and skilled professionals in our community and country's mental health sector. She emphasized our institutional mission to cultivate a cadre of specialized mental health professionals to contribute to nation-building, underscoring the purpose of this symposium. Today, our students are showcasing the knowledge, competencies, and skills they have honed during their years of learning at Villa College.

Following a captivating presentation by MSc Counseling students on the 'Code of Ethics Framework for Maldives Counselors and Psychology Professionals,' First Lady Fazna Ahmed addressed critical mental health concerns in her speech.

Next on the agenda, the Research Track engaged in insightful discussions on topics such as 'Abuse, Religiosity, Relationships, and Trust.' This was followed by a stimulating Discussion/Debate session centered around 'Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotyping.'
Bringing the symposium to a close, Dr. Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector of Villa College, delivered both the closing remarks for the Symposium and the opening remarks for the Psychology Symposium. In his address, he reflected on the launch of our Bachelor of Psychology Programme three years ago and celebrated the impressive progress achieved since then. Today, we proudly witness the fruits of our initiative, with 197 dedicated individuals aspiring to become mental health professionals, including 14 students pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling and 183 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology program. These numbers underscore our unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards in this profession.