Day: December 31, 2006

The Maldives College of Higher Education has announced that it wants to establish a University by Presidential Decree.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Rector Dr. Hassan Hameed, said the college had proposed a draft decree to the President’s Office on December 18, after approval by the College directors.

In 2005, President Gayoom announced that the government would grant university status to the Maldives College of Higher Education in 2007. The President also stipulated a university must be established within an independent framework.

Since Gayoom’s announcement, the College has been working to meet the goal.

Dr Hassan said the regulation proposed to the President was drafted to international standards, which he claimed was proof the college supported an independent University.

“Our goal in the 5th National Development Plan was to carry out preparations until the end of 2005,” said Dr Hassan. “Five years ago, the Government gave us indication of plans to establish a University. Our work is being carried out according to this vision. We plan to proceed with the work we couldn’t finish in 2005.”

Dr Hassan went on to say that the college has reached every one of its short-term goals and the rest of the work would take 2-6 years to complete. He said the final opening date for the University is now up to the President.

The draft university regulation gives the College six months until it would begin to work under University status.

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Police arrested nine people in Male’ on Friday suspected of involvement with local gangs.

They were between 16 and 24 and were reportedly bearing weapons near Taise Yard when they were apprehended by Police.

According to the Maldives Police Service, who were making a routine patrol when the arrests were made, weapons confiscated included wooden sticks, steel bars and cricket bats.

The Police action comes after a raise in the level of gang violence in Male’. Earlier this month ten people, including three police officers, were injured and many properties damaged as rival gangs battled each other on the streets of the capital.

So far, police say a total of nine people have been arrested in connection with the disturbances but that investigations are far from over.

This most recent violence is believed to have been sparked by two incidents: the beating of a thirteen-year-old boy, hospitalised earlier this month, and an attack on a man at Trends restaurant on 17 December.

The incidents sparked retribution and violence throughout the night of the 17th. Armed gangs were seen roaming the streets with swords, knives, bats and other weapons.

The police have been heavily criticised by the local press and public for not taking more action quicker. But authorities insist they did everything in their power to stop the violence and have since raised the number of police patrolling the streets.

Commenting on the most recent wave of violence, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the gang warfare is unprecedented and “totally shocking”.

Police Spokesman, Corporal Shiyam, says the violence is not political, but rather the result of long standing gang rivalries.

The growing gang culture in the Maldives is closely linked to widespread heroin addiction.

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