Villa College has been confirmed as an official host institution for the prestigious King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Undergraduate Fellowships.

Administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, the initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to address urgent development challenges, particularly those arising from climate change. Through this international scheme, eligible students from twenty-four Commonwealth island nations can undertake fully funded undergraduate degrees designed to support resilient communities and sustainable economic growth.

Commenting on the selection, Vice Rector of Villa College, Associate Professor Dr Ali Najeeb, stated: "This is a significant achievement and a strong recognition of the quality, capacity and environment we have built at Villa College. Our selection to host fully funded fellows from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is a great opportunity to contribute to developing future talent in the region and to further strengthen Villa College’s international standing."

The appointment builds upon Villa College’s historic affiliation with the Association of Commonwealth Universities, having become the first higher education institution in the Maldives to join the association in 2013. As host institution, Villa College will welcome undergraduate fellows into an international community of King’s Fellows, offering them access to extensive academic expertise and regional collaboration opportunities.

Under the fellowship, Villa College will deliver five accredited degree pathways aligned with critical infrastructure and community service needs. Candidates can apply to study the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of Teaching in Primary and Special Education Needs, as well as Bachelor of Engineering Honours programmes in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. These technical disciplines directly equip scholars to support climate adaptation, sustainable infrastructure planning, and inclusive social systems across island communities.

The fellowship package offers complete financial support, covering full tuition fees for the duration of the degree, a stipend for living expenses, and travel provisions that include one return flight per year for students relocating between islands. A total of eleven fellowships are available across twenty-four eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States, with seven places ringfenced for applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu to ensure representation among smaller island communities.

Applications for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Undergraduate Fellowships are currently open and will close at 15:00 UTC on 14 October 2026. Prospective applicants and educational advisors can review full eligibility details and submit applications via the official ACU portal at www.acu.ac.uk/kcfp-undergraduate.