First-Ever SAF Maldives Alumni get together Held at Maagiri Hotel, Malé, Maldives

News Male, Maldives - 27th November 2025

The First South Asia Foundation (SAF) – Maldivian Alumni Get-Together was held with great enthusiasm on 27 November 2025 at the Maagiri Hotel, Malé, marking a significant milestone in strengthening regional academic and professional cooperation. The event, which began at 11:30 AM, brought together a distinguished group of Maldivian scholars who have been part of SAF’s transformative regional educational initiatives across South Asia.

First-Ever SAF Alumni Meet 2025 Held in Maldive Malé, Celebrating South Asian Collaboration
Left to right (1st Row): Ms Sausan (UMISARC, Alumna, 2015); Prof Nandini Oberoi, Chairperson, SAF-India; Ms Dazzy() Mr Ahmed Azmi ( UMISAA, Alumnus 2003 ); Dasho Ugen Tsechup, Chairperson, SAF-Bhutan; Mrs Khushi Kabir, Vice Chairperson, SAF-Bangaldesh; Prof Salima Hashmi, Chairperson, SAF-Pakistan; Madame France Marquet, Principle Tustee, MSF and SAF represenatative to UNESCO representative; Ms Maimoona Maeena (Alumna, UMISAA 2004) and Ms Umaima Rasheed Hussain (Alumna, UMCSAJ 2015).
Left to right (2 Row): Ms Aishath Rinza Rashid (Alumna, UMISARC, 2014 batch); Ms Fathimath Zamheena, ( Alumna, UMCSAJ, 2015 Batch) Mr Jeewan, Advisory Board Member of SAF- Sri Lanka; Dr Nischal Nath Pandey, Trustee MSF and Chairperson, SAF-Nepal; Mr Sunil Kumar Binjola, Director of Operations and IT, SAF-India; Dr Syeda Hameed, Trustee, MSF and VIce Chairperson, SAF- India; Dr Armin Dobler, Trustee, MSF; and Mr Ali Josheph ( Almunus, ACJ, 2016)

SAF proudly counts 25 exceptional Maldivian scholars among its beneficiaries—students who pursued higher studies in six UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutes of Excellence established under the visionary leadership of the Madanjeet Singh Foundation (MSF). Among them, eight alumni currently based in the Maldives attended the gathering, including trailblazers from the first batches (2002/2003) of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ) and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA); and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Regional Cooperation (UMISARC)

Now thriving in diverse fields across the world, the alumni shared inspiring stories of their journeys in arts, communication, diplomacy, governance, and environmental leadership. Many continue to contribute to regional development through roles linked with institutions such as UNESCO Madanjeet Singh School of Green Energy Technology (UMSGET); and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS).
Maldives-SAF-Alumni
Left to Right: Madame France Marquet, Principle Tustee, MSF and SAF represenatative to UNESCO representative;Mr Ahmed Azmi (UMISAA, Alumnus 2003); Prof Salima Hashmi, Trustee MSF and Chairperson SAF- Pakistan with Ms Maimoona Maeena (Alumna, UMISAA 2004)

Despite inclement weather in Malé, the alumni turnout and their spirited participation made the event truly memorable. Officials from SAF and MSF expressed heartfelt appreciation for reconnecting with scholars and engaged in meaningful discussions on enhancing alumni collaboration, deepening regional cooperation, and expanding opportunities for Maldivian youth.

Maldives-SAF-Alumni SAF & MSF officals in discussion with Alumni

The get-together reaffirmed the profound and lasting impact of SAF–MSF scholarships, underscoring a shared commitment to regional understanding, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across South Asia.