Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) has emerged with four awards at the National Engineers Awards, including two organisational honours and two individual awards secured by General Manager Dr Furqan Ibrahim.
The recognition made MWSC the most awarded organisation at this year’s ceremony, with the company’s projects in sustainable water production and integrated island utility services receiving national recognition alongside the individual achievements of one of its senior engineers.
MWSC received the Sustainability Champion Award for its solar-powered water production system in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, which operates entirely on renewable energy and produces water without emissions from conventional power generation.
The project reflects a growing focus on reducing the energy footprint associated with water production in the Maldives, where desalination is widely used to provide safe drinking water but can require significant amounts of electricity.
A second organisational honour, the Community Impact Award, was presented to MWSC for its integrated utility service model in R. Dhuvaafaru.
The Dhuvaafaru model brings several essential services under a single framework, covering drinking water production and distribution, sewerage, waste management, electricity, rainwater harvesting and renewable energy solutions.
By integrating these services, the model is intended to improve the way essential infrastructure is managed while incorporating sustainable solutions suited to the needs of island communities.
Dr Furqan Ibrahim takes two individual awards
MWSC also secured two awards in the individual category through Dr Furqan Ibrahim, General Manager of the company’s Risk and Compliance Division.
Dr Furqan was named Engineer of the Year, one of the major individual honours presented at the ceremony.
He also received the Engineering Innovation, Technology, Education and Research Award, recognising his contribution beyond conventional engineering operations and into areas involving innovation, research and technical development.
MWSC congratulated Dr Furqan on the achievement, while crediting the wider efforts of its engineers and employees for the company’s performance at the national awards.
The company said the four honours reflect the technical capabilities of its workforce and its continued focus on using engineering, innovation and technology to strengthen essential utility services.
Growing focus on sustainable utility infrastructure
MWSC’s recognition comes as the company expands its involvement in water and sewerage infrastructure beyond the Greater Malé region and explores more sustainable approaches to delivering essential services across geographically dispersed islands.
Producing freshwater presents a particular infrastructure challenge in the Maldives, where many communities rely on desalination alongside rainwater and other water resources. Incorporating renewable energy into these systems can reduce dependence on conventional electricity generation while lowering the environmental impact of water production.
MWSC has also placed greater emphasis on research, technical innovation and employee development as it works to improve the reliability and sustainability of water and sewerage systems.
The company recently marked Engineers’ Day with a series of activities highlighting the role engineers play in maintaining essential services. School students were welcomed to MWSC facilities in R. Dhuvaafaru, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, S. Hithadhoo and S. Hulhumeedhoo, where they were given firsthand exposure to utility operations, facilities and ongoing projects.
MWSC also held activities for children and internal programmes recognising engineers and technical employees involved in delivering water and sewerage services.
The National Engineers Awards were introduced this year as part of the country’s Engineers’ Day celebrations, creating a dedicated platform to recognise engineering professionals, organisations, projects and innovations contributing to national development.
MWSC said its long-term priorities include providing high-quality engineering services while continuing to invest in research, innovation and employee capacity building, with a focus on developing reliable and sustainable utility systems throughout the Maldives.
The company’s four awards this year place both its engineering projects and personnel among the major recipients at the inaugural national ceremony.
