Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the Maldives, Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, has praised the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations, describing Saudi Arabia’s participation in Vara Expo 2025 as a reflection of the deep and historic ties shared by the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with PSM News held in conjunction with the opening of the Expo, Ambassador Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia’s active involvement in the event highlights the importance Riyadh places on its partnership with Malé.
Saudi Participation at Vara Expo
Calling the Expo “a very inspiring event,” the Ambassador said Saudi Arabia’s presence demonstrates the Kingdom’s continued support for Maldivian education, youth, and workforce development.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has long offered scholarship opportunities to Maldivian students, underscoring the deep-rooted cooperation in the education sector.
“Every year, Saudi Arabia provides 350 scholarships to Maldivian students. This is a symbol of our friendship and our shared commitment to education and opportunity,”
the Ambassador said, adding that the Expo provides a valuable platform to share details of these programs with students and families.
Ambassador Al-Qahtani also invited visitors to explore the Saudi Arabia stall at the Expo, which showcases a range of opportunities available to Maldivians — including educational scholarships, tourism programs, and innovation initiatives.
He said the stall features information on the Visit Saudi Program and the Makkah Road Initiative, both of which facilitate travel and connectivity between the two nations.
“We welcome all Maldivians to visit our booth and learn about the growing opportunities in education, tourism, and innovation in Saudi Arabia,”
the Ambassador stated.
Vara Expo 2025 Opens at Hulhumalé Central Park
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed officially inaugurated Vara Expo 2025 on Thursday at a special ceremony held at Hulhumalé Central Park. The three-day national skills and career expo, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, runs from 6 to 8 November 2025.
The event brings together 166 exhibitors, including higher education institutions, training providers, and major employers from across the Maldives. It serves as a unified platform connecting job seekers, students, employers, and educators, and offers a range of workshops and panel discussions on emerging labour market trends, vocational training, and skill development.
During the opening ceremony, the First Lady launched a special publication titled “Future-Ready Maldives: A New Era of Education and Skills”, highlighting the Ministry’s key achievements and initiatives over the past two years. She later toured the exhibition alongside ministers and senior government officials.
About Vara Expo 2025
The National Skills and Career Expo – Vara Expo 2025 aims to strengthen the Maldivian workforce by:
- Increasing local participation in the national labour market,
- Enhancing skills and technical capabilities,
- Empowering youth through digital innovation in line with national development goals.
The Expo features three main zones:
- Career Zone – employer booths and interview spaces offering over 1,000 job opportunities.
- Education Provider Zone – information on more than 500 higher education and training programs, including on-site registration for degree programs.
- Skills Experience Zone – interactive demonstrations in trades such as carpentry, electrical work, and information technology.
A new Higher Education Management System (HEMS) portal has also been introduced at the Expo, allowing students to instantly register and apply for courses, while digitally matching skills to job openings.
Building Future Opportunities Together
Saudi Arabia’s participation at Vara Expo 2025 underscores the Kingdom’s growing partnership with the Maldives in human capital development, education, and innovation.
Ambassador Al-Qahtani reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continue working closely with the Maldives to strengthen cooperation and create new avenues of opportunity for Maldivian youth.
