A letter to the Minister of Higher Education of the Maldives

01/12/2005 | A Maldivian student in Cairo, via e-mail

Dear Sir,

The Minister of Higher Education of the Maldives,

Hon. Minister, as you are well aware, Egypt is one of the foreign nations that awards the government of Maldives a considerable number of scholarships in different majors every year.

I am a Maldivian student who was awarded one of those scholarships by the government for being selected among the competitive runners for these thinly distributed opportunities for higher education in the Maldives.

Hon. Minister, after reading the uncertain words of yours, that appeared in your recent interview with Adduvas-the famous weekly magazine- in which you said "compare to the challenges I have gone through during the time I served as the Minister of Trade, I think I can do more work here.. If I could honestly render rational services, I think this is the field where I can serve the people of Maldives to the highest degree I could" I am left very skeptical of your administration. This is to say that your response-as quoted herein-to the question posed by Adduvas sounds like you remain uncertain about what you would be able to do for the Maldivians who rely on your administration; the Ministry of Higher Education of the Maldives.

Sir, being subject to your administration I am facing a lot of difficulties which need your immediate action. Also, it is worthy of note that there are many similar cases who express their disgust towards your administration for its inadequate responses towards their complaints.

Sir, if the government aims to attain the best outcome from its investment for the development of the country's manpower, it is important that the students be fully facilitated with all necessary requirements they may need during the scholarship. Hence, I believe it is obliged upon your administration to provide us with a hygienic environment which could serve the very purpose for which we are sent for.

Sir, regardless of our numerous requests in different occasions, we are yet denied proper accommodation, studying materials and proper health facilities. Therefore, I urge for your exclusive attention to overcome the difficulties faced by the Maldivian students in Cairo, which I believe are of the negligence of your administration.

Sir, regardless of my skeptical stand towards your administration, and in light of the brief account of our problems given herein, I would like to assure you that if you are honestly determined to serve the people of Maldives through your current administration, the floor still remains yours, and we are there standing firmly by your side to overcome whatever obstacles which you may face while addressing our problems.


Kind regards,

A Maldivian student in Cairo