Volume 13, number 1, July 2025
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Item Post-angioplasty patients’ early experiences after treatment at the National Cardiac Centre of Maldives at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Ahmed, Agleema; އަގްލީމާ އަހްމަދް; Rasheed, Ashiyath; އާޝިޔަތު ރަޝީދްCoronary angioplasty has been performed widely all over the world and is effective in reducing complications and shortening the length of hospital stay. Post- angioplasty patients undergo both positive and negative experiences in the early recovery period, which significantly affects their overall well-being. However, little is known about patients’ post-angioplasty experiences in the Maldivian context. Therefore, this research study aimed to explore post-angioplasty patients’ experiences related to changes in their lives within two to six weeks after angioplasty from the National Cardiac Centre NCC of Maldives. Using a qualitative phenomenological study design, a purposive sample of six patients who were within two to six weeks after coronary angioplasty participated in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed by using the Colaizzi (1978) process of data analysis. Six themes emerged from the analysis, which reflects the recovery experiences of patients after angioplasty. Themes included support from family and co-workers, seeking self-control and attempting to adjust to the current situation, adapting to lifestyle changes for a better quality of living, looking for specific information, fear of resuming physical activities, and feeling vulnerable/traumatized after angioplasty. The study’s findings provided insight into the recovery period after angioplasty, unveiling unique knowledge related to patients’ experience during the early post-angioplasty period and will subsequently help nurses and other healthcare professionals plan more patient- centered care to produce better patient outcomes.Item Perceptions and readiness of nurses, nurse educators, and nursing students towards the incorporation of micro-credentials(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ , 2025-07) Shareef, Aishath Sana; ޢާއިޝަތު ސަނާ ޝަރީފްMicro-credentials are increasingly important in nursing as healthcare knowledge rapidly evolves. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the study explored the perceptions and readiness of nurses, nurse educators, and nursing students regarding the incorporation of micro-credentials to advance their career goals and employability. Qualitative interviews were conducted among 5 final-year students, 6 senior lecturers at the School of Nursing (SN), the Maldives National University, and 6 nurse managers from three tertiary hospitals in the Maldives. Perspectives and readiness regarding the understanding of micro-credentials and the factors influencing their implementation in nursing were identified among students, nurse educators, and nurse managers. Additionally, nurse educators and nurse managers discussed the importance of establishing a micro-credential framework, aligning this framework with regulatory bodies, and its broader implications. The study provides valuable insights into stakeholders’ readiness, preferences, and expectations, highlighting key perspectives on fostering flexible and modular learning pathways for the nursing profession.Item Predominant factors in perceptions of climate change : the case of university and college students in the Marshall Islands and Kiribati(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Nakayama, Mikiyasu; Uakeia, Takuia; Seru, Jennifer; މިކިޔަސޫ ނަކަޔަމާ; ޓަކުއިއާ އުއެކެއިއާ; ޖެނިފާ ސެރޫThis study identifies key factors influencing perceptions of climate change among college students in the Marshall Islands and Kiribati. Using Random Forest analysis on survey data from 271 students, the research reveals distinct patterns in each country. In the Marshall Islands, dominant factors include trust in media, community discussions, and family conversations. In Kiribati, internet information, media trust, formal education, and religious beliefs play significant roles. While both nations exhibit strong media influence, the Marshall Islands demonstrates greater impact from traditional social structures, whereas Kiribati shows more influence from education and religion. These findings highlight the complex interplay of information sources, social structures, and cultural factors in shaping climate change perceptions in atoll nations. The study suggests that tailored approaches may be necessary for effective climate change education and adaptation strategies in different cultural contexts.Item Postgraduate student’s perception of using peer review as a pedagogical tool(The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Shiuna, Aminath; އާމިނަތު ޝިއުނާPeer review is a widely used pedagogical tool in higher education. It involves students providing feedback for their peers’ work, thus contributing to the assessment process alongside or instead of instructors to improve the overall quality of the final output. The purpose of this study is to explore postgraduate student nurses’ experiences of using peer review as a pedagogical tool. The paper aims to: (1) examine the perception of postgraduate students in using peer review, and (2) determine the benefits & challenges of using peer review. A phenomenological approach with a descriptive study design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using thematic analysis to capture the participants’ lived experiences. The analysis revealed peer review was unanimously perceived as a beneficial pedagogical tool that enhanced the learning. Three major themes emerged: (1) implementation preferences, (2) increased engagement enhancing learning, and (3) concerns in navigating feedback. The study findings concluded that peer review is a collaborative learning strategy that empowers, motivates, and fosters active learning. Students perceived peer review to have a positive impact on their learning and as a tool that assists in improving their final output. Further research is needed to explore specific strategies and their impact on peer review and student outcomes.Item Parents’ perceptions about the shifting language of primary and secondary school students in the Maldivian community(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ , 2025-07) Rana Mohamed Naeem; Aminath Neena; ރަނާ މުޙައްމަދު ނަޢީމް; އާމިނަތު ނީނާEnglish has become widely used as a second language in the Maldivian community, leading to a noticeable language shift. This qualitative research explores this phenomenon using a descriptive phenomenological methodology, aiming to understand language shift among primary and secondary school students through the perceptions of Maldivian parents. The study also sought to identify the main factors driving this shift and the role of parents in the process. Using purposive (criterion) sampling, 10 participants were selected, and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, which revealed four major themes contributing to language shift: the promotion of English over Dhivehi, globalization and the rise of English as a global language, the role of parents, and language attitudes and beliefs. The results indicate that while most parents expressed concern about the language shift, their beliefs interfered with the development of language practices necessary for maintaining Dhivehi. A minority of parents actively attempted to prevent the language shift within the family domain, and an older individual was compelled to acknowledge the value of English despite holding contrary views.Item Exploring Tourism Diversification: The Case of the Maldives(The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Ali Jaleel, Ahmed; އަހްމަދު އަލީ ޖަލީލް2023, the Maldives was named the world’s leading travel destination for the fourth consecutive year, owing to its outstanding natural attractions. Consequently, Maldives’ Fifth Tourism Master Plan sets a new vision to lead the world in sustainable tourism, provide the best visitor experiences, and achieve a $6 billion annual international tourism target by 2027. This research primarily aimed to investigate the feasibility of tourism diversification in the Maldives. The specific objectives were: (i) to assess the level of confidence among tourism industry stakeholders regarding the geographical dispersion of tourism in the Maldives, and (ii) to identify key bottlenecks and recommend strategies to support successful tourism diversification. The research sample consisted of 30 tourism industry professionals and policymakers in the Maldives. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and the analysis of secondary sources, such as government reports, industry publications, and academic literature. The collected data were analysed using SPSS, and NVivo. The findings offer valuable insights into tourism diversification in the Maldives, focusing on areas such as investment, marketing, skills development, and stakeholder collaboration. The study concludes that tourism diversification is viable, with new segments such as eco-tourism, coastal tourism, and wellness tourism enhancing competitiveness, broadening appeal, and fostering industry growth. It suggests short, medium, and long-term strategies to address the challenges identified, including infrastructure gaps, environmental sustainability, sociocultural impacts, and human resource skill shortages. However, success will require collaboration among all stakeholders, including the government and local communities, to address bottlenecks and implement the recommended mitigation strategies. This research contributes to a better understanding of tourism diversification in small island nations. Further research is needed to identify specific actions by stakeholders and mechanisms required for implementing the diversification strategies.Item Knowledge and awareness of polycystic ovarian syndrome and Its determinants among undergraduates aged 18–45 at the Maldives National University(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2025-07-31) Rasheed, Aishath Rifa; Shuhail, Ammar,; އައިޝަތު ރިފާ ރަޝީދު; އައްމާރު ޝުހައިލްPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 1 in 7 women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, there is a notable lack of knowledge about PCOS globally, underscoring the need for greater awareness to support informed decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of PCOS and its determinants among undergraduates aged 18-45 at the Maldives National University (MNU). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among students, with 305 participants responding to the survey, achieving an 85% response rate. Stratified probability sampling was employed to recruit eligible participants. Data were collected via Google Forms from May to August 2024. Participants were predominantly aged 18-24 (56.4%), with females comprising 72.9% of respondents. Among female participants, 33.9% had been medically diagnosed with PCOS, while 78% knew someone with the condition. Social media (65.4%) and healthcare professionals (64.9%) were the primary sources of information. Recognised symptoms included irregular periods (95.4%), while family history (83.0%) was the most commonly identified risk factor. Stress (92.8%) and infertility (88.5%) were highlighted as significant psychological impacts and long-term complications, respectively. Blood tests (80.3%) and medical history (78.3%) were frequently cited diagnostic tools, while exercise (91.8%) and a balanced diet (88.9%) were emphasised as key treatment strategies. Knowledge was highest for symptoms (67.8%) and lowest for risk factors (58.7%) and long-term complications (50.7%). Significant associations were found between PCOS awareness and both field of study and marital status (p<0.001), while age (p=0.806) and educational status (p=0.76) showed no significant impact. With an overall knowledge score of 62.3%, the findings indicate a moderate yet insufficient understanding of PCOS among MNU undergraduates, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions.Item Developing self-directed learning skills through scaffolding in problem-based learning(The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Shareef, Aishath Sana; ޢައިޝަތު ސަނާ ޝަރީފުProblem-Based Learning (PBL) is a valuable educational pedagogy for contextualising a problem to motivate learners to participate in problem-solving and deal with real-life challenges. An action research approach was utilised to demonstrate how scaffolding as a teaching strategy in a PBL module can enhance Self-Directed Learning (SDL) in undergraduate final-year nursing students. Using the scaffolding framework proposed by Van de Pol et al. (2010), the impacts of the interventions were examined using a mixed-method approach. Quantitative data analysis indicated that less than half of the students did not initially consider themselves self-directed learners. After the scaffolding interventions, 57.1% agreed they had greater ownership over their learning. Most students valued peer support and brief instructor guidance for enhancing independence, confidence, and proficiency during PBL projects. Qualitative findings highlighted student experiences, challenges, and how the module supported them in working independently and developing SDL skills.Item The impact of social media communication on human perception creations : case study of the 2022 mass riot in Sri Lanka(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Jayarathne, Dasuni; ދަސޫނީ ޖަޔަރަނެThis study was conducted in order to identify the impact of social media communication on the mass riot that happened in Sri Lanka in 2022. The primary objective of the research was to identify the factors influencing the audience’s perception of struggle. This quantitative research utilized a questionnaire method for data collection, with a sample size of 200 participants selected through random sampling. The majority of respondents were females aged between 18 and 28 from the western province. Most of the participants (74.5%) indicated daily engagement with social media information during the protest was online news, especially through Facebook posts and comments related to the events Interestingly, 66.5% of respondents expressed a neutral stance on the trustworthiness of the facts shared on Facebook, suggesting that, despite frequent use of social media, users were cautious about the credibility of its content. Further, the study focused on three key dimensions: the impact of hate messages on the audience, incitement, and online chatter. Regression analysis revealed that hate messages, incitements, and online chatter had a significant influence on mass perceptions during the riot, as indicated by a p-value of 0.00. Among these factors, incitement showed the strongest effect on perception changes, as demonstrated by the beta value. Further, it was notable that 78.2% of the sample received information primarily through Facebook compared to all other media Additionally, 59.5% of respondents expressed positive views about social media behavior during the post-crisis period in Sri Lanka. This quantitative research utilized a questionnaire method for data collection, with a sample size of 200 participants selected through random sampling.