DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

planning process and the government is committed to ensuring that the DTIS is
mainstreamed in the seventh plan which is in the process of being formulated and
expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
I. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION; EMPLOYMENT AND
SOCIAL SECURITY
This ministry is responsible for training arrangements, policy regarding the issue of work
permits for foreign nationals, labour market regulation as well as administering social
security measures.
There is no university in the Maldives. The Maldives College of Higher Education fills
this role providing tertiary education and training at undergraduate level through six
faculties including the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS), Centre of
Maritime Studies, and the Faculty of Management and Computing (FMC).
All faculties, with the exception of two branches of the FHTS, are based on or near to
Male’ and share one boarding facility which can house 90 “live-in” students. This places
all potential students from outside Male’ at a distinct disadvantage.
J. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH/PUBLIC HEALTH
LABORATORY
The PHL is the only public health regulatory and inspection body in the Maldives. It is
simultaneously accredited as the EU Competent Authority to approve export oriented
processing plants in fishery and farm-based products. So far three plants in fisheries have
been approved.
The PHL also undertakes testing of imports at the request of port health inspectors.
However, there is no systematic system of risk assessment, testing, or even legal
framework for health and safety protection of food standards. The Ministry of Public
Health of which PHL is a part tends to take a reactive rather a preventative approach.
Reportedly the PHL is in the process of moving to new facilities, where additional test
laboratories will be made available and new equipment installed. In addition to the Male’
office, four local offices in the regions have been established.
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