Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has said that students should be proud to return to serve the Maldives after studying abroad.

Speaking at the launch of the online language and Islamic learning program for Maldivian students living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Taj Hotel Dubai yesterday, Shafeeu said it was very important for Maldivian students to go back and serve the Maldives.

However, it is a great sadness and loss that students who are studying abroad on Presidential Scholarship, High Achievers Scholarship and other state scholarships do not return to the Maldives after completing their higher education, he said.

“It should be a determination, pride, and hope of every child to return to the Maldives after gaining education and experience abroad,” Shafeeu said.

He said this while the UAE has a large number of Maldivians in various jobs. They include several pilots and air traffic controllers.