Villa College has presented awards to 54 students who achieved the highest results across its programmes, recognising their academic achievements at the Student Achievement Awards 2026 on Saturday 3 October. The chief guest was His Excellency Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives.

Held every year since 2021, the ceremony took place for the sixth time and was broadcast live nationwide on TVM. Guests included Professor Sir Steven West CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol); the college's senior management and faculty heads; senior representatives of 29 industry partners; and graduates and their parents.

In his address, Vice President Latheef said the joy on the faces of the graduates and their families was the result of the graduates' hard work. He noted that Villa College is achieving success across many fields that Maldivians can take pride in. He described the college's founder, Honourable Qasim Ibrahim, as a national hero who has made great sacrifices in service of the people of the Maldives.

The Vice President said some 27,000 graduates trained at Villa College now serve in communities across the country. That the college is the Maldivians' own institution, here in the Maldives, is a great source of pride for the college and the whole nation, he said. He added that Villa College has opened the way for Maldivians to earn an international-standard higher education on home soil.

Rector Dr Ahmed Anwar said the graduates' determination and hard work had shown how fully prepared they are for the next stages of their education and for progress in their careers. He noted that they achieved this while fully meeting their family and work responsibilities, and said Villa College is proud to have guided and supported them. He urged the graduates to continue demonstrating the qualities of a Villa College graduate in every walk of life.

Vice Rector Associate Professor Dr Ali Najeeb noted that 29 organisations, among them leading Maldivian companies, associations, professional bodies and foundations, present industry prizes to College Medal recipients. Their participation, he said, symbolises the close ties between the college and its key industry partners. It also shows the industry's full confidence in the college's programmes and in the graduates who complete them and enter the job market.

Dr Najeeb said the many top places won on University of the West of England programmes show that students at Villa College are performing on a par with those studying in Bristol. Many of the award winners, he added, studied while carrying demanding jobs and family responsibilities.

Speaking about the college's vision, Dr Najeeb said Villa College will always give top priority to developing future-proof graduates, fully prepared for the challenges ahead. He noted that the college has completed the final stage of international accreditation by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA UK). It is also the only educational institution in the Maldives with an overall five-star QS Stars rating.

Dr Najeeb also highlighted two new initiatives. The Graduate Impact Semester connects students with the community and enriches their practical experience. The Learning Profile shows employers the experience and skills students gain beyond the classroom.

This year, 36 students received the Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence for the highest CGPA or average mark in their programme. The College Medal and Industry Prize, awarded to the top student in each batch, went to 53 students. All Qasim Ibrahim Award recipients also received a College Medal, so with the Special Academic Performance Recognition, the ceremony formally recognised 54 students.

Vice President Latheef presented the Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence to recipients from master's degree programmes. Recipients from bachelor's degree programmes received the award from Rector Dr Ahmed Anwar; Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Government Representative on the Villa College Council; and Professor Sir Steven West, Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol.

Senior representatives of Villa College's 29 industry partners presented the College Medals and Industry Prizes. Vice Rector Dr Ali Najeeb presented the Special Academic Performance Recognition to Aishath Afnaan Ibrahim Ahmed. In the ACCA June 2026 exam session, she placed first in the Maldives and 30th in the world in Financial Management.

The partners who presented prizes this year were The Hawks Pvt Ltd, Villa Hakatha Pvt Ltd, Faisal Foundation, Eve Clinic, Rainbow Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Leo Trading Pvt Ltd, Malé Water & Sewerage Company Pvt Ltd (MWSC), Dhiraagu, Azmi-Naeem Medical & Diagnostic Centre (AMDC), SHC Law & Tax LLP, Lily International Pvt Ltd, Highrise Pvt Ltd, Crowe Maldives LLP, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldivian, Amana Takaful (Maldives) Plc, Universal Foundation, Villa Foundation, Maumoon Foundation, the Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals (MAHRP), the Institute for Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICP), State Electric Company Limited (STELCO), Ooredoo Maldives, S&A Lawyers LLP, Advogado Law Firm LLP, Bank of Maldives (BML), Coco Collection by Sunland Hotels Pvt Ltd, Maldives Islamic Bank Plc and State Trading Organization Plc (STO). Villa College sincerely thanks them all for their support.

Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence: The Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence (QIAE) is awarded to graduates who demonstrate the highest level of academic excellence in their respective programme of study at Villa College. QIAE is awarded to the student who has achieved first class/distinction grade with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)/highest average mark in their respective programme of study amongst the graduating class and who have fulfilled the eligibility criteria as approved by the College.

College Medal and Industry Prize: The College Medal is awarded to graduates who demonstrate academic excellence in their programme of study within their respective cohort. This medal is awarded to the student amongst the same cohort who has achieved first class/distinction grade with the highest cumulative grade point average/highest average in the cohort and who has fulfilled the eligibility criteria as approved by the College. Since 2019, the College Medal is awarded in partnership with Industry Leaders from their respective disciplines.

Special Academic Performance Recognition: a Certificate of Achievement awarded by Villa College to students who achieve the highest marks in the Maldives in international examinations.

About Villa College: established in 2007 as the country's first private college, Villa College has since graduated more than 27,000 students. The Student Achievement Awards connect the college's industry partners with its top students, reflecting its role in developing a generation ready to serve the nation.