UWS supports policing program in the Maldives
Maldives Commissioner of Police, Abdulla Riyaz, and Dr Kerry Hudson, Director of Education and Partnerships at UWS
The University of Western Sydney is assisting the Maldives Police Service in the development and delivery of a new policing degree, which will provide access to higher education to local law enforcement professionals.
On Wednesday 6th February 2013, UWS representatives attended a formal ceremony in Male, the capital of the Maldives, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Security and Law Enforcement Studies (ISLES).
ISLES – an initiative of the Maldives Police Service – offers education and training programs to law enforcement agencies in the Maldives, including police, customs, immigration, airport security, prisons and rehabilitation , the national defence force and security officers.
UWS is assisting ISLES in the development of its first degree-level training program – a new Bachelor of Science in Security Studies and Law Enforcement, which is being specially tailored to suit the Maldives and with a focus on contemporary issues such as counterterrorism, border security and human rights.
Dr Kerry Hudson, Director of Education and Partnerships at UWS, says the University is pleased to extend its support to the Maldives Police Service.
“The signing of the MoU signals the beginning of a productive and mutually beneficial relationship between the University and the Maldives Police Service,” says Dr Hudson.
“The MoU has been signed, as a way of formally recognising the dedication on behalf of both parties, to work together collaboratively on the development of exemplary education services and research.”
UWS academics and teaching staff are expected to assist ISLES staff in the teaching of the new Bachelor of Science program, and students will have access to the University’s online library facilities to assist in their studies.
Dr Hudson says the establishment of the degree – which will be taking enrolments up to 50 students in its first semester in March 2013 – is an important step toward creating minimum professional standards for all the security and law enforcement services in the Maldives.
“Ensuring minimum professional standards across the law enforcement and security sector is a very important initiative and somewhat unique in the region says Dr Hudson.
“By working in partnership with the Maldives Police Service, UWS policing academics will be involved in a groundbreaking initiative, and will be able to bring valuable knowledge back to Australia, to inform our own teaching and research for the benefit of our future law enforcement officers.”
The MoU was signed by Dr Hudson of behalf of UWS and by Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz on behalf of the Maldives Police Service.
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