Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has said that the Maldives is committed to building an education system that integrates Islamic values while preparing students to thrive in a competitive global environment.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the Seminar on Islamic Leadership and Integration of Knowledge, held on October 11, 2025, at the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM).
The three-day seminar is jointly organised by the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). It aims to explore practical ways of blending Islamic principles with education, leadership, and human resource development.
In his opening address, Vice President Latheef said the Government places high importance on cultivating human capital rooted in Islamic learning and ethics. He added that a strong foundation in both moral and modern knowledge is essential for equipping future generations to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
The Vice President stressed that true progress depends on nurturing individuals who are not only skilled but also guided by faith, compassion, and a sense of national responsibility. “Education must build character and purpose,” he said, “and prepare our youth to serve both their communities and humanity.”
Among the keynote speakers were Professor Dato’ Dr Uthman bin Bakr, Rector Emeritus of IIUM, who highlighted that knowledge and leadership must go hand in hand. He emphasised that effective leaders are those grounded in knowledge and moral discipline.
Meanwhile, IIIT Secretary-General Prof. Dr Omar Hassan Kasule spoke on the historical influence of Islamic scholarship on global progress. He reminded participants that Europe’s scientific and intellectual revolutions were built upon Islamic traditions of knowledge and urged Muslim societies to reclaim this legacy in their pursuit of innovation and development.
Throughout the three-day programme, participants will attend workshops and panel discussions covering economic development, trade, leadership, and human resource advancement.
According to IUM, the initiative seeks to produce leaders capable of driving positive social and economic transformation in the Maldives, guided by both faith and foresight.
