Thesis & Dissertations - ތީސީސް އަދި ޑެޒަޓޭޝަން
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Item The tuna pole and line FAD (fish aggregating device) fishery of the Maldives : towards science-based management through fishers and scientific knowledge(HAL Open Science, 2022-09-06) Ahmed Riyaz JauhareeMaldivians have sustainably been exploiting tuna using hook and line in the Indian Ocean for over a millennium, with 20% of the total Indian Ocean tuna catches currently landed in the Maldives. After four decades using on average 55 anchored fish aggregating devices (AFADs) spread over the entire archipelago, this thesis aims to improve our knowledge on the fishery ecology of tuna within the Maldivian AFAD array in order to better understand the drivers of the sustainability of the fishery for the coming years. The ecology of tuna around these AFADs was studied by collecting local ecological knowledge from 54 pole and line fishers and by acoustically tagging 65 skipjack and 57 yellowfin tuna within an instrumented 21-AFAD array. Most fishers consider that slight currents, suitable sea temperature, prey and attractants enhance the aggregations while strong currents, high sea temperatures and stormy conditions make tuna leave AFADs. They also consider that tuna tend to stay associated with AFADs 3 to 6 days, which is comparable to results from acoustic tagging (from 2 to 5.5 days on average). Acoustic tagging showed that tuna do not have a specific preference in the direction of movement, and very few fish moved from one FAD to another. Therefore, the 55 AFADs in the Maldives do not act like a network but appear to be relatively independent. The Maldives FAD network can be considered as a case study to examine the pros and cons of sparse FAD networks as supports for fisheries, while minimizing potential negative impacts. More research on the ecological, social and economic aspects of the pole and line fishery must be conducted to support the Maldives in their science-based management.Item Teachers' TPACK and Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning: A Case Study in The Maldives(2022) Aminath Waseela; އާމިނަތު ވަސީލާA significant policy agenda in the Maldives has recently been directed towards improving education for all by leveraging digital technology. In line with these policy directives, the Ministry of Education has been providing schools with both technology infrastructure and training programs. However, research has shown that the success of technology integration initiatives hinges on the knowledge and skills of teachers to effectively integrate technology in classroom teaching. Consequently, gaining an understanding of teachers' technology knowledge and its integration can provide valuable insights into strategies that can be adopted to enhance teaching, especially in developing country contexts such as the Maldives, where research is limited. This explanatory mixed-method study investigated Maldivian secondary education teachers' knowledge and integration of digital technology in teaching and learning. Specifically, the study explored three research questions: (1) Maldivian in-service teachers’ perceptions of the constructs of the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, (2) how teachers implement technologies in their classrooms and the perceived impact on students' cognitive engagement, and (3) the factors that influence teachers' technology integration in classroom teaching. Phase one involved survey data from 485 in-service teachers from across the country to understand their perceptions of TPACK constructs. Phase two consisted of qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews and document artefacts from nine purposively selected teachers representing schools in both the capital city and island communities. The data were analyzed using a tri-theory framework comprising TPACK (Mishra & Koehler, 2006), SAMR (Puentedura, 2012), and Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy (Churches, 2008). Findings indicated that teachers generally had a high perception of TPACK and its related constructs. However, qualitative data revealed that a high perception of TPACK did not necessarily translate into frequent or meaningful technology integration. Teachers often used digital technologies for teacher-centred practices supporting lower-order cognitive skills. Contextual factors—including teachers’ beliefs and attitudes, institutional support, resource availability, time allocation, and national ICT policies—significantly influenced technology integration across micro, meso, exo, and macro levels. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on TPACK by providing insights from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) context. It also proposes a tri-theory framework combining TPACK, SAMR, and Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy to guide the transformation of pedagogical practices toward meaningful, technology-enhanced learning. Recommendations are made for teachers, school leaders, and policymakers to improve technology-supported teaching and learning in the Maldives.Item Perception and influencing factors of E-cigarette use among young adults in H.Dh. Hanimaadhoo, Maldives(2023) Mohamed, Shaziya; ޝާޒިޔާ މުޙައްމަދުItem Large questions faced by education at the sharp end in SIDS(Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta, 2025) Aminath Shiyama, Aminath Muna, Terra Sprague and Michael W. Crossley; އަމިނާތް ޝިޔާމާ، އަމިނާތް މުނާ، މައިކަލް ކްރޮސްލީ އަދި ޓެރާ ސްޕްރޭގްThe paper reflects upon thirty years of collective experience relating to educational and environmental development in small states worldwide. Particular attention is given to what the international community can learn from the distinctive experience of small island developing states (SIDS), and how this relates to the big questions and contemporary global challenges faced worldwide. In doing so, insights from local experience, decolonial perspectives, and indigenous knowledges are highlighted for a multidisciplinary and international readership.Item How challenging? Barriers for teachers in institutional implementation of blended learning(Taylor & Francis Group ޓޭލަރް އެންޑް ފްރެންސިސް ގްރޫޕް, 2024) Ramiz Ali; ރާމިޒް ޢަލީBlended learning has been popular in higher education over the past decade, aiming to provide students with enhanced learning experiences by integrating digital technology with face-to-face (F2F) learning. However, due to several barriers confronted by teachers, the uptake of blended learning has been highly variable. This variability can yield significant inconsistencies in learner experiences and can result in learner inequity. This case study aims to explore some of the common barriers encountered by university teachers as they attempt to implement institutional blended learning in the Maldives. The participants were 24 teachers who were involved in blended learning adoption in 2019. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed by employing thematic analysis. In addition, university policy documents related to blended learning were collected and analysed. Results suggest that in the implementation of blended learning, teachers may encounter several barriers that include (a) teacher resistance, (b) teacher low self-efficacy, (c) increased teacher workload, (d) university policy issues, and (e) lack of readiness. The implications of these barriers to institutional implementation of blended learning and teacher support are discussed.Item Small islands, significant solutions: Educational resilience in the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic(Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta, 2025) Aminath Muna and Aminath Shiyama; އައިމިނަތު މުނާ އަދި އައިމިނަތު ޝިޔާމާDespite limited resources, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have frequently shown exceptional resilience when confronting global challenges. Nevertheless, SIDS perspectives are often overshadowed in broader educational discussions. The Maldives presents a notable example of how a small island country adapted its educational system during COVID-19. This paper examines the Maldives’ rapid approaches to maintaining educational continuity during school closures, emphasising digital readiness, community participation, and government programmes. The case study highlights the power of communal strength, personal relationships, and social connections in overcoming difficulties. It shows how unity, combined with informal networks, can establish a support structure that helps communities recover from crisis. The Maldives’ experience provides insights for larger countries, showing that resilience stems from strategic planning and joint efforts, rather than size. Educational research can benefit from studying SIDS in comparative education contexts, and established platforms can help distribute SIDS research to broader audiences.Item Navigating for smooth sailing: a qualitative analysis of factors affecting institutional adoption and diffusion of blended learning(Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-09-25) Ali, Ramiz; ރަމިޒް އަލީThe adoption and diffusion of blended learning in higher education have a surge in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research on comprehensive institutional strategies elucidating the reasons and mechanisms behind institutional adoption is still limited. This gap may contribute to a lack of understanding among university leadership regarding the provision of necessary policies and essential support for both students and academics. Utilising a case study methodology, and grounded in Diffusion of Innovations theory, this study investigates the factors influencing the institutional adoption and diffusion of blended learning in a university. The study involved interviews with 24 lecturers and six university executives, and the data were analysed relying on a theoretical proposition. Additionally, various university documents were collected and subjected to content analyses. The results revealed a range of factors that either facilitated or impeded the diffusion process, including student experiences, teacher beliefs and attitudes, teacher support, teacher self-efficacy, university policies, and institutional readiness. While most of these factors contributed to the innovation process, certain elements had a negative impact, hindering the university's efforts for diffusion. Notably, the study observed the dynamic evolution of the roles played by some factors as the diffusion process unfolded.Item A failed education system : issue with low achievers(2025) Ahmed, Zameer; ޒަމީރު އަހުމަދުThis article is about the Maldives Education system. In this article, the issue with low achievers has being discussed. How to overcome the major issue in education. The article is backed with literature.Item Resilience، islandness and food systems in small island developing states : a study of the Maldives(2024) Mariyam Anaa Hassan; މަރިޔަމް އަނާ ހަސަންItem Factors affecting nurse turnover in public hospitals in Male’, Maldives: a phenomenological study to understand why nurses resign(School of Nursing, The Maldives National University, 2022-01-29) Rameez, Rafaahath; ރަފާހަތް ރަމީޒުNurses leaving their jobs or leaving the profession, commonly known as turnover, is a significant issue of concern universally (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018). Nationwide, the average registered nurse turnover rate is estimated to be 15% to 36% per year (Halter et al., 2017). Shortages of nurse’s due to high turnover lead to burnout and job dissatisfaction among nurses, decreases in staff morale, a decline in consideration for patients, increased errors and patient dissatisfaction related to new inexperienced staff (Gess et al., 2017). Therefore, it is significant for health care organizations to identify the main causes of turnover and promote effective interventions to reduce nurse turnover (Yamaguchia et al., 2016). The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to explore the experiences of nurses in order to identify the main factors that contributed to leaving their job in public hospitals in Male’. An advantage of identifying these contributing factors is that it could help healthcare organizations to implement successful strategies and workplace solutions in order to improve nurse retention, which will also save organizations costs on nurse recruitment, motivate present employees enhancing their job satisfaction and improve the standard of care given to patients in in public hospitals in Male’. Chapter 1 of this research study will consist of a brief background of the topic along with relevance and justification, problem statement and conceptual definitions of some of the main terms used in the study.