³Ô¹ÏÍø today marked a historic milestone in the evolution of legal education in the Maldives with a ceremony that unveiled two transformative initiatives. The event, held at the ³Ô¹ÏÍø QI Campus, celebrated the inauguration of the nation's first-ever Judges Residency Programme and the pioneering Centre for Transformative Environmental and Marine Law. The ceremony also featured the formal oath-taking for the 2025 Executive Committee of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Law Society, alongside a celebration of outstanding student achievements. The event was graced by the Honorable Justice Uza. Aisha Shujune Muhammad of the Supreme Court of the Maldives, who served as the Chief Guest.
In her welcoming remarks, Uza. Asna Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Shariah and Law, described the day as a landmark occasion, signifying a deep commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice. The overarching goal of these new initiatives is to provide students with unparalleled experiential learning opportunities, thereby nurturing a new generation of legal professionals who are prepared for the complex challenges of the modern world.
A central highlight of the ceremony was the official launch of the Judges Residency Programme by Chief Guest Justice Uza. Aisha Shujune Mohammad. In her keynote address, she emphasized the profound responsibility that future lawyers hold in upholding justice and lauded the programme as a vital step in nurturing legal minds with strong ethical foundations. This innovative programme, the first of its kind in the Maldives, will embed an experienced, retired member of the judiciary within the faculty. The first appointed Resident Judge is the esteemed retired Judge Abdullah Ali, who will work closely with students and faculty by delivering lectures, mentoring students and guiding research. This direct and sustained interaction is designed to provide students with invaluable insights into judicial reasoning, courtroom ethics, and the practical application of law.
The ceremony also saw the inauguration of the Centre for Transformative Environmental and Marine Law (CTEM), launched by the Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Dr. Amzath Ahmed. As the first legal center in the Maldives specifically dedicated to environmental and marine issues, CTEM represents a critical response to the nation's most pressing ecological challenges. The center is envisioned as a national hub for legal research, policy development, and advocacy, aimed at fostering environmental justice, promoting sustainability, and strengthening ocean governance. It will serve as a vital platform for students and faculty to contribute meaningfully to national and global debates on climate change and marine conservation.
The event also underscored the vibrant leadership within the student body through the oath-taking ceremony of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Law Society (VCLS) executive committee for the year 2025. Amish Abdullah, Senior Lecturer at the faculty, highlighted the society’s remarkable journey since its establishment in 2023 as the first student-led law society in the country. He commended its efforts in nurturing a pro bono culture and hosting insightful colloquia on emerging legal frontiers, including discussions on Artificial Intelligence and Space Law. The ceremony celebrated the society’s role as a crucial platform for developing leadership, fostering professional responsibility, and serving the wider legal community.
The celebration of student success was a cornerstone of the event, honoring a remarkable series of accomplishments. The achievements recognized ranged from historic victories on the international stage, where student teams placed in the Top 16 at the 20th Vis International Moot in Hong Kong and became the first Maldivian team to reach the finals of the 13th Middle East Vis Pre-Moot in Abu Dhabi, to exceptional academic performance, including topping the 2024 Bar Examination and earning prestigious honors such as the Dean's List and Dean's Award.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector of ³Ô¹ÏÍø, urged students to embrace the values of integrity, service, and innovation. He called upon them to fully utilize the unique experiential learning opportunities now available, that are on par with standards of international universities, reinforcing the college's commitment to providing a holistic education that prepares graduates to become not just skilled lawyers, but also ethical and forward-thinking leaders poised to shape the future of justice in the Maldives.
