Villa College honored the exceptional academic achievements of its top-performing students in a grand ceremony for the "Student Achievement Awards 2025." The prestigious event was held to recognize and celebrate the success of graduates who attained the highest honors across a diverse range of courses offered by the college, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys.

The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of the Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, the Honorable Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Minister Haidar commended Villa College for its pivotal role in the nation's educational landscape. He remarked that Villa College has established itself as a leading institution where students can attain world-class qualifications, comparable to those from universities in developed nations, without having to leave the Maldives. His words underscored the college's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality higher education.

Among the evening's highest accolades was the Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence, the most distinguished honor bestowed upon a graduate. The Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence is awarded to graduates who demonstrate the highest level of academic excellence in their respective programme of study at Villa College. QIAE is awarded to the student who has achieved first class/ distinction grade with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) /highest average mark in their respective programme of study amongst the graduating class and who have fulfilled the eligibility criteria as approved by the College.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the Villa College Gold Medal and the Industry Prize, which serve as a crucial bridge between academic excellence and professional recognition. The College Medal is awarded to graduates who demonstrate academic excellence in their programme of study within their respective cohort. This medal is awarded to the student amongst the same cohort who has achieved first class/distinction grade with the highest cumulative grade point average / highest average in the cohort and who has fulfilled the eligibility criteria as approved by the College. Since 2019, the College Medal is awarded in partnership with Industry Leaders from their respective disciplines.

In his address, the Rector of Villa College, Dr. Ahmed Anwar, shared his aspirations for the graduates, stating, "We hope that you, our students, will go on to play leading roles not only within the Maldives but also on the international stage." This vision was echoed by the Vice Rector, Dr. Ali Najeeb, who emphasized the strength of the college's industry partnerships. He noted, "Tonight, 26 of the country's most renowned companies, associations, and professional bodies are presenting the Industry Prize to our College Medal recipients across 36 programs. This collaboration is a powerful symbol of the vital relationship between Villa College and the industries we serve." Dr. Najeeb further described the awards night as an essential platform for connecting high-achieving students with industry partners and extended his gratitude to all event partners for their invaluable support.

The success of the evening was a testament to the strong support from a wide array of esteemed partners. This year's partners included:

Villa Foundation

Highrise

Universal Foundation

Maumoon Foundation

Amana Takaful (Maldives) PLC

Eve Clinic

Rainbow Enterprises

Maizan Electronics. Pvt. Ltd

State Electric Company Limited (STELCO)

Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC)

Dhiraagu

Ooredoo

S&A LAWYERS LLP

SHC LAW & TAX LLP

Advogado Law Firm LLP

Sonee Hardware

Maldives Islamic Bank Plc

Villa Hakatha Pvt Ltd

Crowe Maldives LLP

Maldives Airports Company Limited

Bank of Maldives

Maldivian

STO

Sunland Hotels Pvt Ltd

Maldives Association of Human Resources Professionals (MAHRP)

The Hawks Pvt Ltd

This broad coalition of support highlights the deep integration of Villa College within the nation's professional and commercial sectors.

This year's ceremony saw a remarkable number of students receiving awards across various categories. A total of 36 students were honored with the prestigious QIAE Award, while 54 students received the Villa College Gold Medal and Industry Prize. Additionally, three students were recognized with the ACCA Maldives Prize. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) awards a number of prizes to students who demonstrate exceptional performance in exams. National prize winners are awarded to students who achieve the highest marks in exams on their first attempt. In recognition of their achievement, students are awarded a Certificate of Achievement by Villa College.

Since its inception in 2021, the Student Achievement Awards ceremony has become a cornerstone event, celebrating the dedication of Villa College students and strengthening the collaborative spirit between academia and industry, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to become the leaders of tomorrow.