Australia Awards South and West Asia

Ibrahim Zuhuree graduated from Maldives College of Higher Education with an advance Diploma in Secondary Teaching, and went on to teach Mathematics and Physics at an Island Community School. While teaching, he realized that he needed to improve his skills and knowledge, and subsequently applied for an Australian Development Scholarship.

He firmly believes that he was awarded the scholarship for his hard work and commitment to serve his island community.

In 2004, Ibrahim finished his undergraduate Studies from the University of Western Australia (UWA) with Majors in Applied Mathematics and Physics. During his studies in Perth, he also participated in one academic and one industry-based project. After obtaining his BSc degree, he returned to Maldives and began to work as a physics teacher. During this period, he became interested in policy formulation, development and analysis. In 2006, he received a sponsorship offer from AusAID to study Public Policy and Management at the Adelaide Campus of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). As part of this program, he worked with various nonprofit organizations in South Australia.

After returning to Maldives in 2008, Ibrahim joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where his responsibilities include overseeing the utilization of SAARC development projects and programs, studying and analyzing the impact of SAARC upon the country, and identifying ways in which regional cooperation could be increased. During his spare time, he still teaches Physics at the Faculty of Education in the Maldives College of Higher Education, and works with NGOs to bring positive and sustainable change to island communities by providing help with project proposals, negotiations and event management.