Villa College, Maldives, and South Asian University (SAU), India, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19th December 2025, marking a significant step towards strengthening regional academic collaboration and higher education development across South Asia.

This partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation that centres on faculty and student exchange, joint research programmes, and shared academic initiatives designed to promote regional understanding and intellectual engagement. The agreement brings together two institutions committed to advancing the quality of higher education while fostering meaningful connections across borders.

The scope of collaboration under this MoU is extensive and multifaceted. Both institutions will work together on curriculum development, joint teaching initiatives, conferences, seminars, summer and winter schools, and the exchange of academic publications and resources. These activities will create valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional growth among faculty and students at both institutions.

The partnership also paves the way for dual and joint degree arrangements, joint supervision of Master's and Doctoral students, staff development initiatives, and the mutual recognition of academic qualifications. These provisions will enable greater mobility and flexibility for learners and academics, opening new pathways for educational advancement within the South Asian region.

Beyond the academic sphere, joint cultural programmes and research activities form an integral part of this collaboration. These initiatives will contribute to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of South Asia while building cross-cultural understanding between the Maldives and India.

This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of Villa College and South Asian University to nurturing regional leadership, building strong academic networks, and contributing to sustainable development and knowledge creation across South Asia.