Featured

MAHRP: Challenging age-old mindsets, championing humane workplaces

Published

7 years ago

February 21, 2020

When Hussain Afeef, Ali Adam and Ahmed Ibrahim met about three years ago, they knew they had to do something at a grand scale to pass on their knowledge and experience to budding HR professionals in the country. These three passionate heavyweights in the local HR scene then set out to resurrect an old idea; to found a platform to nurture the talents and skills of their peers.

Six months to their initial chat, the Maldives Association of HR Professionals (MAHRP) was born, with Afeef as its president and Ibrahim as one of two vice presidents. And in doing so, Afeef, Adam and Ibrahim achieved what many others before them had attempted but failed; to establish the first ever professional association in Maldives, dedicated to HR and people development.

“As many developing nations, we have a tendency to focus heavily on infrastructure development. In the process, we often forget about human capital development,” Afeef, who serves as the Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance at LUX* Resorts, said.

“Although it’s a sad reality, that was our biggest motivation. We wanted to develop human capital to cater to the increasing demand created by the rapid expansion of our infrastructure. Almost every sector in Maldives is slowly becoming more and more service-oriented.”

Consistency is key

MAHRP’s mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most current and comprehensive resources, and to advance the profession by promoting HR’s essential values, setting professional standards and providing the know-how. It is committed to linking and connecting HR professionals and practitioners locally and oversees through signature events and membership activities.

Since its inaugural meeting on February 24, 2018, MAHRP has organised exclusive training events in Maldives with world’s leading customer experience consultant Ron Kaufman and world-renowned motivational speaker Robin Banks, enabling organisations to have access to world-class trainings at discounted rates. The first National HR Convention and Expo and the first learning and development conference in Maldives were also held in 2019. Regular knowledge share events complement these activities.

“Most NGOs in Maldives that are focused on professional development are not active. MAHRP’s difference is consistency. We organise at least one event per month. All of our exco members are employed full-time at some of the biggest companies in the Maldives, but we have been able to give time and drive the association forward,” Afeef said.

Over the past two years, MAHRP has consistently been in the news. Despite initial reluctance by some organisations to participate in the association’s activities, MAHRP’s events have now captured the attention of almost every private and public enterprise in the country. Its myriad of activities are closely followed by all HR professionals throughout the archipelago.

“As the current president, I thank MAHRP exco and advisory team for their relentless support, as well as our sponsors and partners for their contributions. Without their guidance and collaboration, we won’t be where we’re today,” Afeef said.

Taking on existing mindsets

For most newly-formed organisation, the biggest challenge will perhaps be raising funds for its activities. It was a challenge for MAHRP as well. But the biggest and most important challenge the association faced was the existing mindset of some organisations.

“We had to hold several meetings with [some organisations] to make people understand the importance of capacity building and human capital development,” Afeef explained.

“At the beginning, some organisations were a bit reluctant to send their employees to our forums and events. But once these employees went back and gave their feedback, those organisations also started realising how important it was.”

Many organisations treat HR as the management of the day-to-day affairs of their workforce. They usually host a training session at the beginning and at the end of the year. That means is no organisation-wide learning taking place during 10 out of 12 months of the year!

Human capital development goes beyond the basics of managing the day-to-day affairs of the workforce. It’s about keeping each and every employee’s performance and progress consistently in check. It’s about implementing written policies, and making sure the organisation’s training department, if there is one, focuses on identifying and focusing on the skills and areas needed by the employees.

“Some development initiatives require funds. Any organisation would need a return on the money they spend on training. In each and every event we conduct, we make sure that the participating organisations get double the value of what they had paid for. That’s why we host regular follow-up sessions after each major training. For instance, our monthly ‘Great HR Share Sessions’ are follow-up sessions,” Afeef said.

“Even in an organisation, the key to a successful HR regime is to have regular follow-ups. Doing the performance appraisal of employees isn’t enough; it should be followed up appropriate steps and actions.”

Grand plans

MAHRP’s line-up of events for 2020 include the second National HR Convention and EXPO, second Learning and Development Conference, as well as trainings with world-renowned thought leaders like Marshall Goldsmith, Robin Banks and Ron Kaufman. The first speakers convention in Maldives, aimed at developing great public speakers, will also take place this year. As always, regular HR best practice share sessions will complement those events.

The challenge of the country’s geography leads to a dispersed population across many small islands, which makes service delivery difficult and can limit opportunities for job creation and economic diversification. But MAHRP is determined to take its events to all major populations centres in the country. In fact, reaching all corners of the nation is one of the priorities of the association for 2020.

This year, MAHRP also seeks to establish greater links with organisations to identify the underlying issues in their HR policies and propose solutions.

Rewarding organisations that showcase exceptional performance taking care of their employees features high on MAHRP’s agenda. The association is in the process of introducing a National People Excellence Award, which covers different aspects of HR policies and practices. Modelled after the now-defunct Presidents of Maldives Award for Human Resource Development in the Tourism Industry, MAHRP’s awards will serve as a national-level recognition for excellence in human resource development not just in the tourism industry but across a broad range of service sectors.

MAHRP has an ongoing research partnership with Villa College and collaborates with the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) on raising public awareness about tourism sector jobs and opportunities. But MAHRP is determined to take its training initiatives to the next level; the association will establish its own training institute and position it as a certifying body for globally-recognised courses offered by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

“Our vision is to be the leading authority in Maldives in human capital development. What that means is that in five years there will be HR professionals certified by MAHRP and organisations endorsed by MAHRP for excellence in HR practices,” Afeef said.

MAHRP sees itself as a value addition to the society.

“It’s important to know the big picture and incorporate your vision into the big picture. In our case, it’s all about aligning human capital development initiatives with the government’s plans. MAHRP’s events for the coming three years will serve as value additions to the human capital development initiatives outlined in the government’s Strategic Action Plan,” Afeef explained.

“Everything — private training institutes, public institutes and organisations like MAHRP — needs to link up with the big picture. The lack of connection is a major issue. Connecting the dots — this needs to happen.”

MAHRP’s vision and mission revolves around creating a more humane workplace. Deeply enshrined in the association’s philosophy is the belief of its founders that people are the most important part of any organisation, public or private. In everything MAHRP does, the universal quality of empathy stands out. In a workplace championed by MAHRP, paying employees for their work isn’t enough or sending them to training sessions isn’t enough; there has to be a mindset change for the better, in how the organisation sees its employees.

Related Topics:MAHRP Maldives Association of HR Professionals (MAHRP)

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Cooking

International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Published

18 hours ago

September 21, 2026

m@ldives

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.

Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.

The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.

As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.

Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.

Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.

Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”

Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.

Awards

TTM Awards 2026 names You & Me Maldives Best Adults-Only Resort

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2026

m@ldives

You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.

The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.

Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.

The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.

The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.

“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.

“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”

The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.

Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.

Featured

From art to island adventures: Marriott International luxury resorts unveil festive programmes

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2026

m@ldives

The festive season often brings some of the simplest moments into focus: long lunches that extend into the afternoon, children discovering somewhere new, and conversations without the pressure of being elsewhere. In the Maldives, that time together unfolds naturally between ocean and shore, with each island establishing its own rhythm for multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends.

This year, the Luxury Group by Marriott International portfolio of resorts in the Maldives is inviting travellers to experience the festive season through art and design, marine discovery, local culture, gastronomy, wellness and time spent outdoors. From the creative shores of the Fari Islands and the house reefs of North Ari Atoll to the secluded northern reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, each destination offers a different setting in which guests can reconnect, celebrate traditions and create new ones, with the Maldives itself at the heart of the experience.

Available to book from 15 September to 15 November 2026 for stays between 20 December 2026 and 10 January 2027, the Festive Early Bird Offer adds tailored inclusions to each island stay. These range from resort credits of up to USD 400 per stay and complimentary non-motorised water sports to complimentary stays and dining for children under 12 and festive activities at selected participating resorts.

For guests looking to make the most of their time in the Maldives, two island experiences are within easy reach of Malé. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort are both accessible by speedboat, while scenic seaplane journeys lead farther into the atolls to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, W Maldives and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.

A Canvas of Festive Wonder at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

A 50-minute luxury speedboat journey from Malé leads to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where the 2026 festive season brings contemporary art into conversation with the light, colour and landscape of the Maldives.

From 20 December, the island will become a festive canvas through bespoke installations by French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet in collaboration with the House of Ruinart. His expressive use of shape and colour will appear throughout the resort, from a specially conceived Christmas tree and ornaments inspired by the destination to playful installations culminating at Beach Shack.

The experience brings a new creative dimension to the resort’s Circle of Island Life, while leaving room for guests to shape their days at their own pace. Couples can move between the spa, lagoon and intimate dining experiences, while families and groups can gather in 100 ocean- and lagoon-facing villas designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

Larger parties can stay in expansive two-bedroom villas or the four-bedroom The Ritz-Carlton Estate, with an Aris Meeha island butler available to personalise their time together.

The Festive Early Bird package includes daily breakfast at La Locanda, New Year’s Eve celebrations and festive experiences.

A Season of Endless Wonder at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort

Close to Malé yet removed from the pace of the capital, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is preparing a festive season centred on joy, discovery and wellbeing.

A 15-minute speedboat journey from Malé, the island will host ‘Enchanted Soirée: A Season of Endless Wonder’, with a programme featuring culinary experiences, restorative moments at Spa by JW, lagoon adventures and activities for younger travellers. In the evenings, multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends can come together over shared meals and festive celebrations.

Residential-style two-bedroom beach and overwater villas provide space for guests to gather and retreat, while the three-bedroom Ocean Residence includes a private gym, spa treatment room and waterslide with direct lagoon access.

Dedicated Safeeru ambassadors personalise each stay, while the Family by JW Kids’ Club provides creativity and exploration for younger guests. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, nurse shark snorkelling and dining across seven venues inspired by Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, South American and Nikkei cuisines.

The Festive Escape package includes a full-board meal plan, complimentary dining for children under 12, and access to festive activities and celebrations throughout the stay.

Ten Years of Island Stories at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

In Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will mark its 10th anniversary with ‘Chapter X: Celebrating 10 Years Through the Island’s Story’, a festive programme inspired by the landscapes and communities that have shaped a decade on Vommuli Island.

The celebration follows the resort’s four ecological zones — Lagoon, Beach, Jungle and Coast — providing families, couples and friends with different ways to discover the island through marine life, nature, cuisine, wellness and Maldivian heritage.

Children and grandparents can explore the biodiversity surrounding Vommuli House, turning shared discoveries into new family traditions, while days by the lagoon showcase the resort’s house reef and nature-inspired design.

Along the coast and beach, shared meals, storytelling and seasonal gatherings draw on the Maldives’ fishing and seafaring heritage. Christmas celebrations will include a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa’s arrival and family programming, while curated dining and wellness experiences will lead into a New Year’s Eve celebration overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The Festive Getaway includes breakfast for two and resort credits ranging from USD 200 to USD 400 per stay, depending on the villa category. St. Regis Butler service will also be available throughout each stay.

Children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.

Made the Revelry List at W Maldives

For travellers looking for a more energetic festive season, W Maldives brings together North Ari Atoll’s marine life, newly refreshed villas and the resort’s social island atmosphere.

A 25-minute seaplane journey from Malé takes guests to the resort’s house reef, where days can begin underwater, continue with a nurse shark excursion or sunset cruise, and end with dinner by the beach.

From 23 December to 1 January, ‘Made the Revelry List’ will move between relaxed daytime experiences and after-dark celebrations. Christmas Eve will bring guests together at FIRE Beach for flame-grilled dining and live entertainment, while New Year’s Eve will take its cue from ‘The Velvet Revelry’, a speakeasy-inspired soirée moving from golden-hour cocktails and dinner to performances, music and a midnight countdown on WAVE Beach.

Beyond the festive programme, 77 beach and overwater villas with private pools provide space for couples and friends to settle into island life, while the two-bedroom Oasis Beach Villa with Slide is designed for families and groups.

For a change of setting, Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private island, offers an intimate location for private dining and time away from the main island.

The Festive Favors package includes a full-board meal plan for two adults and USD 200 in daily resort credit.

An Enchanted Island at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

The journey north forms part of the experience at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, which is reached by a scenic 50-minute seaplane flight from Malé.

In the quieter reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, spacious villas, tropical gardens and open stretches of ocean provide a setting for different generations to spend time together. Duplex Overwater Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Pool Villas provide generous living spaces for families and groups of friends, while dedicated Thakuru private butler service takes care of arrangements throughout the stay.

This year, ‘Enchanted Island, Midnight in Paradise’ will bring aerialists, fire performances, live music and a DJ into a festive calendar that balances celebrations with opportunities for families to spend time together.

Younger travellers can choose from more than 100 activities at the Family by JW Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the largest children’s clubs in the Maldives. Cooking experiences using ingredients from the JW Garden and Boduberu evenings will also bring different generations together during the festive period.

The Festive Splendor package includes daily breakfast for two at Aailaa and a one-time 30-minute photography session with one printed photograph.

Guests booking a Duplex Overwater Pool Villa receive a complimentary upgrade to half board, while children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.