Sunday, October 21, 2007

British MPs want to help Maldives to set up a University College

20 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Members of the British Parliament have spoken at the parliament on helping the Maldives to set up a University College. This was taken during a debate in the British Parliament on 17 October concerning the relations between the two countries. Mr. Brian Binley (Northampton, South) said that Britain must help the Maldives as the country was a British protectorate for so long and English is spoken in the Maldives. “The fact that the Maldives looks to our country as a model and a great friend certainly came over to my honourable friend and I' he said.

He said there is a great problem with education. There are about 80,000 pupils in Maldivian schools, but only up to secondary school level, he explained. “When we asked the Minister, Hon. Abdullah Shahid, the areas of activity by which Britain might help, he suggested further education, especially in connection with British universities. We said that we could explore that area of activity, so my hon. friend and I intend to contact our senior educational establishments. We are talking to foundations that might be able to help with the creation of a university college, or at least some attachment of that kind that could relate to a British university, given that the country uses British exams. We hope that something might come of it" Mr. Binlay said.

The Minister for the Middle East Dr. Kim Howells speaking in the same debate said Maldives and Britain enjoy excellent relations bilaterally and through shared membership in the Commonwealth. Supporting his Hon. College he said he could not agree with his colleague more on establishing closer contacts with UK universities. The Minister promised to pursue the matter with Chairman o Higher Education, Whales.

The Minister also touched upon the subject of climate change and said they saw the problem poses gravest threat to life and commerce in the Maldives. He further said, “We care a great deal about the Maldives. It has a very small population of 350,000, but it has a strong historical links with our country and we want to nurture and strengthen those links"

British MPs praised the Maldives for its beauty and embarking on democratic changes. Some MPs who participated in the debate were members of a Parliamentary group who visited the Maldives early during the year.

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