Villa College recently hosted an industry engagement guest lecture for students enrolled in the Organisational Psychology module of the Bachelor of Psychology programme. The session, led by professionals from Ooredoo Maldives, offered students a focused look at how learning and development functions operate within one of the country's leading telecommunications organisations.
The guest lecture was facilitated by Ibrahim Zameel, Head of Talent Development, Aisthath Yooha Ali, Senior Executive of Talent Development, and Ali Yasir, Senior Executive of HR and Admin. Drawing on their collective expertise, the facilitators guided students through a series of interconnected topics that illustrated how organisations translate broad strategic objectives into targeted employee development outcomes.
A central thread throughout the session was the relationship between individual growth and organisational direction. The facilitators explored how Individual Development Plans are designed not in isolation but in direct alignment with an organisation's vision and mission, ensuring that employee progression contributes meaningfully to wider business goals. This perspective offered students a practical lens through which to understand the strategic dimension of organisational psychology, moving beyond textbook definitions to see how these principles function within a live corporate environment.
The discussion also addressed the structured methodologies organisations use to identify and cultivate talent. Students were introduced to Training Needs Analysis as a diagnostic tool for pinpointing skill gaps, alongside the 70-20-10 learning framework, which distributes development across experiential learning, social interaction, and formal education. These approaches demonstrate how organisations move from identifying development requirements to implementing targeted interventions. Equally significant was the attention given to measuring training effectiveness, an area that underscores the importance of evidence-based refinement in ensuring that learning initiatives deliver tangible results rather than remaining abstract exercises.
The interactive format of the session encouraged students to engage directly with real-world applications of the theoretical concepts they encounter in their coursework. Rather than passively receiving information, participants were invited to explore how learning and development strategies are implemented in practice. Students described the experience as both informative and inspirational, noting that it reshaped how they perceive professional challenges and approach their future career aspirations.
Sessions such as this reflect Villa College's ongoing commitment to strengthening industry engagement across its programmes. By creating opportunities for students to learn directly from practising professionals, the College continues to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice, equipping graduates with the contextual understanding and practical perspective they need to contribute effectively in today's evolving work environment.
