Villa College
{{Short description|Private college in Maldives}}
{{multiple issues|{{one source|date=May 2016}}{{more citations needed|date=May 2016}}}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Villa College
| image = Villa College.jpg
| image_size =
| motto = Transform your life{{efn|The phrase "Transform your life" is always used in TV advertisements, which is theoretically a motto}}
| established = {{start date|2007|01|28|df=y}} ({{Time ago|Jan 28 2007}})
| type = Private
| founder = Qasim Ibrahim{{efn|Qasim Ibrahim has later become the chairman of Villa College}}
| chancellor = Dr. Ahmed Anwar{{efn|Ahmed Anwar is also the rector of Villa College}}
| students = 3500+
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| city = Male'
| state = Kaafu Atoll
| country = Maldives
| coor = {{coord|4.1695601|73.50907129999996|display=inline,title}}
| campus = QI Campus{{efn|Institutional campuses are located in 9 different islands, the latest campus was opened in Hithadhoo, an island district of Addu City}}
| colours = Blue, white
| website = {{url|villacollege.edu.mv}}
| free_label = Vice Rector
| free = Dr. Ali Najeeb
| free_label2 = Parent
| free2 = Villa Group
| image_name =
| staff =
}}
Villa College is a tertiary education and training institute established by the chairman of Villa Group, Hon. Qasim Ibrahim to offer educational opportunities to Maldivians at an affordable price. With the aim, Villa College began its historic journey on 28 January 2007, with the registration of its first institute, Villa Institute of Water Sports followed by the Villa Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) and Villa Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies. In 2016 Villa College started to conduct business and management programs in affiliation with University of the West of England.{{Cite web|url=http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/comingtouwe/internationalstudents/globalstudypartners/villacollege.aspx|title=Villa College - UWE Bristol: International students|website=www1.uwe.ac.uk|access-date=2016-05-10}}
History
Villa College commenced its first program early October 2007 with a total number of twenty students. Since then, the student numbers have grown steadily and today over three thousand students, learning various disciplines, are enrolled. Although Villa College started its operations in October 2007 under the Faculty of Computing and Business Management, all academic courses began in July 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.villacollege.edu.mv/about-vc.html|title=Villa College - ABOUT VC|website=www.villacollege.edu.mv|access-date=2016-05-10}}
Campuses
File:A picture of a main gate of Villa College's main campus, QI Campus.jpg
Villa College currently consist of six campuses; QI campus, Green Campus, Knowledge Village Fuvahmulah Campus, Lakeside Campus & Eydhafushi Campus.
= QI Campus =
Villa College Qasim Ibrahim (QI) campus is the central operation of Villa College. It is located at the heart of Male’ City in Central Business District surrounded by several government and private offices and amenities.
The QI campus is designed to be environmentally friendly with a huge rose garden, an alley of orchids and neatly trimmed grass all across the horizon.
All the central administration, faculties and teaching are carried out in QI campus.
= Fuvahmulah campus =
Villa College Fuvahmulaku Campus is located in Gn. Fuvahmulaku. This campus runs Villa College courses from Certificate level to master's degree level. The campus has fully air conditioned classrooms with state of art multimedia facilities. A modern computer lab is as well available for students.
= Lakeside Campus =
Villa College Lakeside Campus (VCLC) is located in Shaviyani Funadhoo at a very picturesque location. The campus is surrounded by a beautiful lake with several domesticated animals across the lake. The campus offers certificate level and degree foundation programs and is expected to offer degree programs from 2014 onwards. State of art modern class rooms and facilities are available for the students studying in VCLC
= Eydhafushi Campus =
Villa College Eydhafushi Campus (VCEC) is located in Baa Eydhafushi delivering certificate levels to degree level courses. In 2015 VCEC will commence delivering master's degree programs. The campus is located in the historic Bahiyya land and also operates Bahiyya pre-school as part of Villa College.
= Other campuses =
| class="wikitable"
|+ | |||
| Name | Opened date | Campus Manager | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naifaru Campus | {{start date|2013|05|13|df=y}} | Nasrulla Mohamed | {{efn|Naifaru Campus is the first institutional campus of Villa College to be opened}} |
| Mahibadhoo Campus | {{start date|2014|04|14|df=y}} | Ahmed Rifath | |
| Kulhudhuffushi Campus | {{start date|2017}} | Mohamed Abdulla | {{efn|Kulhudhuffushi Campus is the most northern located campus of Villa College, at the Upper North Province of Maldives}} |
| Laam Gan Campus | {{start date|2019|06|10|df=y}} | Thoha Abubakuru | |
| Hithadhoo Campus | {{start date|2024|12|16|df=y}} | Shafna Ahmed Didi | {{efn|Hithadhoo Campus is the most southern located campus of Villa College (at the South Province of Maldives), & formerly known as a learning center in {{date|September 2015}}}} |
Faculties and institutes
Teaching and learning at Villa College are organized and coordinated by many faculties, institutes, and centres.
| class="wikitable"
!Faculties |
| Faculty of Business Management (FBM) |
| Faculty of Educational Studies (FES) |
| Faculty of Hospitality Management and Tourism Studies (FHMTS) |
| Faculty of Information Communications Technology (FICT) |
| Faculty of Law |
| Faculty of Marine Studies |
| Faculty of Shariah and Islamic Studies (FSIS) |
| Institutes |
|---|
| Institute for Academic Development |
| Institute for Corporate Directors & Secretaries |
| Institute for Research & Innovation |
| Centres |
| Centre for English Language Support (CELS) |
| Centre for Professional Studies (CPS) |
| School of Health Sciences (SHS) |
| Centre for Information Communications Technology |
| Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) |
| Centre for Professional Studies (CPS) |
Notable alumni
{{empty section|date= December 2017}}
Ahmed Ahsan, Diver, PADI World instructor, Admiral, MNDF Marines, Esteemed Lawyer (Al-usthaaz) [updated as of November 2020]
Notes
{{notelist}}