Dr. Ibrahim Latheef has more than 25 years of experience in the field of education and specialised in modern education and institutional development. One of the key developmental areas is on digital t...echnology as a tool; in particular, the effective use of internet-enabled digital technologies in teaching and learning with completed projects in both Maldives and Australia. As an academic, most of the research is in schools and higher education contexts with a strong focus on learning development and how best the curriculums are implemented using digital technologies and available resources. His core interest is in education and research that examines how tools mediate human labour and activities (i.e., teaching and learning), and how they impact human consciousness and develop their thinking. Hence, current research and development areas include educational institution development and transformation, AI in Education, Mind and Interactivity, Cultural Historical impact of technologies on the human mind, Digital games in education, Digital literacy as a way of thinking, extended reality in education, and Implementing Curriculum. The underpinning theory guiding this education and research is Cultural Historical Activity Theory which describes and outlines how humans use tools in labour and how that impacts the way they think and the way they learn. As a result, impact their consciousness and behaviour and establish and develop as an institution and realising their vision, mission and achieving their goals.

Meet Dr. Ahmed Ali Didi, an accomplished Assistant Professor at the Center for Postgraduate Studies at Villa College. He is an expert in the field of Education and brings a wealth of experience to his... current role. Dr. Didi is currently teaching the Qualitative Research Methods modules and has developed the course outline for the Educational Policy module for the Master of Education in Leadership and Management programme.

Dr. Didi holds a Ph.D. in Education from Massey University, New Zealand, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Syracuse University, USA, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Planning and Management in Small States from Malta University, Malta. He has previously served as the Atoll Chief of Haa Alif Atoll and as the Secretary General of the Elections Commission of the Maldives, bringing his expertise in leadership and management from different perspectives to the education sector.

Dr. Didi's research interests include school improvement and quality in education, leadership and change management in schools, and school culture. His current research focuses on education development in the Maldives from a historical perspective.

Among Dr. Didi’s extensive work in his field are the Maldives Country Papers, “Community support for education and participation in school management” presented at the UNESCO Regional Seminar in Bali, Indonesia, in 1989, "Innovative measures to overcome socio-economic obstacles to primary school attendance” presented at the UNESCO Regional Seminar in Pune, India in 1990, “Promotion of gender and equality” presented at the Seminar in Tokyo, Japan, in 1999, and “Radio for equitable education to all' presented at the Seminar in New Delhi, India, in 2012. In addition, Dr. Didi also co-authored Maldives Country Papers, “Education in a global era: Challenges to equity, opportunities for diversity” prepared for the 14th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers held in Halifax, Canada, in 2000, and “Teacher education, qualification, and improvement” prepared for the Asia-Pacific Conference on EFA 2000 Assessment, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2000.

As a dedicated member of the faculty at the Center for Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Didi is committed to helping his students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their academic and professional lives.

Ms.Hidaya Mohamed Zahir is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Villa College, where she has been working for over five years. She holds a Masters of Education degree from Open ...University Malaysia and has extensive experience in teaching and curriculum development.

Throughout her career, Hidaya has held various roles, including Primary & Middle School Teacher, Leading Teacher, Curriculum Developer SS, Unit Head Life Skills, Career Guidance Unit Head, and Education Development Officer. Her research interests include soft skills, English language teaching, career guidance, parenting, and education, and she has supervised research in the fields of education, nursing, and business.

Hidaya's latest publication, "Soft Skills Valued by Maldivian College Students as they Prepare for Lifelong Learning, Career Success, and Citizenship" was published in the International Journal of Social Research and Innovation in 2021 (Vol 5 No (1)). She is currently a Research Fellow (IRDC) for the Maldives South Asian Teacher Educators (SATE) Fellowship, where she is working on a multi-modal approach to teacher professional development in low-resource settings (MATPD).

In addition to her work at Villa College, Hidaya is also a consultant in life skills education and teacher training. She is affiliated with Toast Masters International and MAHRP.

Hidaya is passionate about empowering students to develop the soft skills they need for lifelong learning, career success, and citizenship. She believes that education is a powerful tool for social change and is committed to helping students reach their full potential.