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Soneva to Open Maldives’ First SCIE:NCE Centre

Aerial view of Soneva Fushi
Soneva recently announced its plans to open a SCIE:NCE (Soneva Centre for Island Ecosystems) Centre in the Maldives.

Soneva recently announced its plans to open a SCIE:NCE Centre in the Maldives. SCIE:NCE is short for Soneva Centre for Island Ecosystems. The centre is set to be located onsite at Soneva Fushi. And Soneva will design it in a similar manner to the Soneva Art and Glass Studio.

Acccording to Soneva, the objective of the new centre is to create great guest experiences. And also aims to provide learning opportunities around the subjects of marine and terrestrial biology and astronomy, as well as Soneva’s conservation efforts.

These topics are usually of great interest to Soneva’s younger guests. Likewise, the centre will provide even more opportunities for learning while at Soneva or through an online learning platform. SCIE:NCE will develop and record short educational videos, which will be shared online. Children and teenagers will also be able to sign up for online courses. Furthermore, Soneva will distribute this through existing educational platforms, such as FutureLearn.

COVID-19 has brought into question the value of what we learn at school and traditional methods of learning. The world has been exposed to, and gotten used to, remote learning. We see a lot of interest from children, to either learn remotely or on-site, about astronomy, marine biology, and conservation. It is our hope that we will develop week-long classes that children can subscribe to when they are at our resorts, and subscribe to digitally if they are unable to physically visit Soneva. I am sure that as we go on, new ideas will come up, and we will look back in a couple of years’ time at the SCIE:NCE Centre as one of those great initiatives that clearly differentiate Soneva from any other resort.

Sonu Shivdasani, Soneva’s CEO and Founder said.

Dr. Bart Knols appointed to oversee terrestrial and marine biology, astronomy, and conservation efforts at Soneva resorts

Soneva has appointed Dr. Bart Knols – who was also instrumental in the implementation of Soneva’s sustainable, insecticide-free mosquito management system – to oversee the set up the Centre. The medical entomologist has a Ph.D. from Wageningen University (Netherlands), where he started as a first-year biology student in 1983.

He became interested in insects and the diseases that transmit to humans and animals, as well as the ongoing search for green alternatives to pest control. So, Bart got a chance to work in a Maasai community on the Kenya-Tanzania border. Which was to develop low-cost, odor-baited traps to control tsetse flies. Thus, what followed 11 years of working and living in east and southern Africa was a Ph.D. on the behavioral ecology of African malaria mosquitoes.

“I feel privileged and proud to join Soneva and its SCIE:NCE centre to lead its scientific research and conservation efforts. Scientific endeavour is most meaningful if it is put to good use in society and addresses key issues reflected in the sustainable development goals. This we hope to accomplish, besides enthusing guests with what we do and developing capacity in the Maldives to address pressing environmental and conservation issues in line with the government’s Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023

Dr. Bart Knols said.

About Soneva

Soneva is a pioneering family of hospitality properties, offering holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments. From world-class resorts to outstanding natural locations; Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, and Soneva in Aqua in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand rebuke the traditional concept of luxury. Thus, instead promise the luxury of time, purity, and solitude.

Feature image by Soneva
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Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

On April 19, 2025, Marriott International celebrated the success of 31 apprentices who graduated from the second batch of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The special ceremony took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and featured key dignitaries, including Hon. Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with other officials from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Mark Fletcher, Marriott’s Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore and the Maldives, also attended to acknowledge the graduates’ achievements.

Hon. Ibrahim Waheed highlighted the program’s role in empowering the youth of the Maldives, commenting, “Today, we celebrate 31 apprenticeship graduates. These are 31 futures redefined—each a testament to what happens when opportunity meets action. To our apprentices, you step forward as ambassadors of possibility. And to Marriott International, thank you for not just supporting this program, but for championing it—your commitment to mentorship and local capacity building is truly admirable.”

A Collaborative Effort in Hospitality Training

The Marriott Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative effort between Marriott International, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and MIT. This 10-month program provides participants with a well-rounded education that includes theoretical lessons at MIT and hands-on experience at various Marriott resorts across the Maldives. Specifically, the apprentices received training in several key hospitality sectors, including front office operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

By partnering with the Maldivian government, Marriott became the first international hospitality brand to support such an apprenticeship initiative in the country, reinforcing its dedication to developing local talent. In this way, the program supports Marriott’s broader mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing Maldivian tourism industry.

Practical Experience Across Marriott’s Maldives Resorts

The apprentices completed their theoretical training at MIT before gaining practical experience at Marriott’s luxurious properties in the Maldives, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; W Maldives; Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa; Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

True to the company’s guiding principle of “We Put People First,” Marriott focuses on helping young professionals grow and succeed. As a result of their hard work, all the graduates received Level-3 certification, officially recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This certification acknowledges their successful completion of both the academic and practical components of the program, preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

Mark Fletcher reflected on the program’s origins, noting, “When we launched this program in 2023, it was envisioned as a pilot, a leap of faith, grounded in belief. A belief in crafting talents of Maldivian youth, belief in the strength and collaboration, and belief in Marriott’s commitment to “take care” – not just our people but the communities where we serve. What began as an initiative is now a movement, and Marriott International is proud to be the first international hospitality brand to officially launch such apprenticeship program in the Maldives”

Ultimately, this graduation marks a key milestone in Marriott’s efforts to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ tourism industry by fostering a talented and skilled local workforce. Marriott looks forward to watching its graduates embark on successful careers and continue playing an essential role in the growth of the country’s hospitality sector.

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