Faculty of Health Sciences

Introduction

Welcome to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College! We are thrilled that you are considering joining our community of dedicated and passionate students.

As a prospective student, you are starting a journey that will prepare you to become a healthcare professional, making a positive difference in people's lives. At the Faculty of Health Sciences, we are committed to providing you with an education that emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become an effective healthcare practitioner.

Our faculty comprises experienced and qualified professionals who specialize in various healthcare disciplines, including nursing, medical laboratory sciences, and public health. They are committed to creating a supportive and dynamic learning environment that fosters critical thinking, professionalism, and ethical values.

We offer a variety of programs and courses designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the latest healthcare theories, practices, and innovations. Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful and compassionate healthcare practitioner.

Please take the time to explore our website and learn more about the exciting opportunities available to you at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College.

We look forward to welcoming you to our community and supporting you in achieving your academic and career aspirations in the healthcare field.

Deans Message

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Faculty of Health Sciences!
Our faculty offers diverse educational opportunities in different disciplines such as nursing, public health, pharmacy, and health service management to prepare students for success as a healthcare professional. The future of healthcare in Maldives is filled with opportunities for committed, compassionate professionals who have a desire to contribute in improving the quality of healthcare outcomes. Thus, our mission is to train students who conducts research, practice knowledge with leadership qualities to be role models in healthcare in the long run.

I encourage you to explore the programs and pathways offered in our faculty and in Villa College. Our programs are fully accredited and approved by the Higher education authorities and governing bodies in the country. We offer certificate level 4, undergraduate and graduate programs across 4 disciplines: Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy and Health Service Management. Our curriculum utilizes innovative teaching and learning strategies supplemented by opportunities to learn and practice skills in our state-of-the-art labs together with externship opportunities abroad. Our lab facilities assure students can safely practice clinical scenarios preparing them for real world situations.

Our lecturers are experts in their respective fields who are dedicated to assuring that engaged, motivated students have all the resources needed to be successful. They are available to help you determine which path best aligns with your individual goals and expectations.

I am constantly inspired by our committed lecturers and amazing students. Our students complete their educational journey together with their lecturers in a supportive and respectful environment. As a faculty, we have great opportunities and responsibilities to provide a transformational educational experience and prepare our graduates to positively shape the future of healthcare.
As the Dean of FHS, I am humbled and energized by the opportunity to serve our students and the staff of FHS.

Thank you for your interest in the Faculty of Health Sciences and I hope you will Join us!

Aishath Mala
Dean,
Faculty of Health Sciences
 

Staff Directory

Aishath Mala

Dean

Aishath Mala is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College, where she teaches nursing-related subjects to students. With over 17 years of experience in the nursing field, she has deve...loped a strong expertise in healthcare education and critical care. She holds a Masters Degree in Nursing from the Maldives National University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Studies from Villa College.

Ms Mala's career began in 2000 when she joined the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) after completing her London GCE A-levels. She has overall 24 years of experience in various areas such as MNDF, IGMH, Treetop Hospital and Villa College, including 17 years in field of nursing. She has been actively involved in continuing education, conducting in-service classes for nurses and participating in various international training programs and conferences.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing nursing education and critical care practices. Her ongoing pursuit of academic excellence, alongside her professional experience, makes her a highly respected leader in the healthcare sector.

Modules Taught

  • Health and Social Care for Research
  • Professional Communication
  • Quantitative Research Methods
  • Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
  • Recognising and Responding to deteriorating patients
  • Leadership for Health

Research Interests

  • Nursing education
  • Critical care
  • Nursing practice improvement
  • Continuing professional development

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Dr. Mano Priya Vijayan

Deputy Dean

Dr. Mano Priya Vijayan is a dedicated academic and emerging leader with over 16 years of experience in healthcare education, research, and clinical practice. Holding a PhD in Medical-Surgical Nursing,... alongside advanced qualifications in Neuroscience Nursing, Hospital Management, Clinical Psychology, and Higher Education, she brings a wealth of expertise and a forward-thinking approach to her role within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

As Deputy Dean, Dr. Mano plays a pivotal role in preparing students for success in the healthcare field by fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity. She is committed to nurturing compassionate, committed professionals equipped with leadership qualities to positively shape the future of healthcare in the Maldives and beyond.

Her contributions have been instrumental in supporting the Faculty’s mission and innovative programs across Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy, and Health Service Management. These programs integrate cutting-edge teaching strategies, state-of-the-art labs, and global externship opportunities, ensuring students are well-prepared for real-world challenges.

Dr. Mano is a recipient of the Diamond Award for Excellence in Support Services and the Excellence in Marketing and Outreach Award, highlighting her contributions to enhancing student experiences, program visibility, and community engagement. She is also a prolific researcher with a patented innovation, “Duo Sense Optic Care Wear,” and numerous national and international publications over the years.

She is so passionate about mentoring students and collaborating with faculty, Dr. Mnao leads with dedication, innovation, and a focus on continuous improvement. She believes in the transformative power of education to prepare graduates who excel in research, practice, and leadership, serving as role models in the healthcare sector.

Modules Taught

  • Dual Diagnosis, Substance Misuse and Mental Health
  • Medical & Surgical Nursing III : Theory and lab
  • Medical and Surgical Nursing II : Practice
  • Medical and Surgical Nursing III : Practice (Externship)

Research Interests

  • Promoting Good health and Wellbeing

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Dr. Shaik Afsar

Senior Lecturer

Afsar Shaik completed his M. Pharm (Dept of Pharmacology) from P. Rami Reddy Memorial College of Pharmacy (Affiliated to JNTUA) Andhra Pradesh, India in 2012. And his Ph.D from Jawaharlal Technologica...l University Anantapur, Ananthapuramu, India in 2021. He worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Gokula Krishna College of Pharmacy, Sullurpet, India, between April 2012 to January 2017. Thereafter he started as Associate Professor in Department of Pharmacology at Narayana Pharmacy College, Nellore, India, between January 2017 to May 2023.

Currently he is working as a Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, Male’, Maldives. He teaches Subjects like Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Therapeutics, Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology etc., for both Pharmacy and Nursing Modules.

Afsar Shaik is having experience in conducting various Pre-Clinical and clinical studies in hospital and community settings and has published more than 20+ research as well as review articles in peer-reviewed reputed journals, which are cited well. Total citations of his publications are 175+ with h-index 6 and i10-index 6.

Afsar Shaik has presented his research works in various national and international conferences. His area of research interest is in Reproductive Toxicology, Neurobiology & Cancer studies.

Afsar Shaik is currently Life member of Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Member - Asian Council of Science editors, Registered Pharmacist, Andhra Pradesh Pharmacy Council.

Modules Taught

  • Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Pharmacology II
  • Anatomy and Physiology II

Research Interests

  • Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Neurobiology and Cancer Studies

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Dr. Monica Arora

Assistant Professor

Dr Monica Arora is a distinguished Academician and Researcher with over 18 years of experience in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Computational Drug Design. She c...ompleted her Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2005 from the Institute of Pharmacy, Bundelkhand University, India, and later earned her Ph. D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2014 from PES College of Pharmacy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. She has an extensive and diverse educational background, having held significant roles at several leading Institutions throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience in both teaching and leadership positions. Most recently, she served as Professor and HOD In-charge at Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India where she played a pivotal role in shaping the Department’s Academic and Research strategies.

Currently, she is working as an Assistant Professor at Villa College, Male, Maldives, where she teaches subjects like Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Biochemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry. In addition to these courses, she also teaches research-focused modules for Nursing students.

She has published several research papers in high-impact journals and contributed to Book chapters and Conference proceedings. Her expertise extends to Computational Drug Design Techniques such as QSAR, Molecular Docking, and Pharmacophore modeling, which she integrates into her Teaching and Research. Additionally, she has been the recipient of Government-funded research grants, further enhancing her contributions to the field of Pharmaceutical Education and Academic research.

Monica Arora is an active participant in the academic community and has presented papers at National and International conferences. She is a lifetime member of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI), Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), as well as a Registered Pharmacist with Karnataka State Pharmacy Council. Additionally, she has served as a Ph.D. Thesis Examiner and Question Paper Setter for various Universities.

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Dr. Kommu Pradeep

Assistant Professor

Dr. Kommu Pradeep is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College, with a strong academic background and over 12 years of teaching and research experience. Dr. Pradeep is ...dedicated to advancing the field of pharmaceutical education and fostering student success. Specializing in pharmaceutical technology, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, Novel drug delivery systems and pharmaceutics, Dr. Pradeep integrates cutting-edge research into teaching to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical sciences.

Dr. Pradeep was awarded his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Acharya Nagarjuna University, A.P., India, in 2022. He completed his M.Pharm. in Pharmaceutics from JNTU, Kakinada, A.P., India, in 2013, and his B.Pharm. from JNTU, Kakinada, A.P., India, in 2011. Dr. Pradeep's research primarily focuses on Novel drug delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical formulations, and Nano technology. Dr. Pradeep is also interested in Targeted drug delivery systems. His work aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application to improve patient care and therapeutic outcomes. Dr. Pradeep has published 13 research articles in various Scopus-indexed and WoS journals. He holds 3 patents and has actively participated in numerous national and international conferences, where he has presented his research. Dr. Pradeep is the author of three textbooks: Textbook of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Science, Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Novel Drug Delivery System.

Dr. Pradeep is committed to developing and implementing innovative teaching strategies, mentoring students in their research endeavors, and contributing to the academic community. Dr. Pradeep has guided 55 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate students in their academic research projects. He actively involved in Mentoring students in their academic activities such as conferences, workshops, and research.

Professional Affiliations:
Life Member, IPGA
Life Member, APTI
Member, SPSR

Modules Taught

  • Pharmaceutics
  • Pharmaceutical technology
  • Biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics
  • Novel drug delivery system
  • Drug regulatory affairs
  • Pharmacy law and good practice

Dr. Arockia Mary Ignasimuthu

Assistant Professor

Dr. Arockia Mary, Assistant Professor in Faculty of health Sciences in Villa College, is a dedicated and accomplished nursing professional with extensive experience in both clinical and academic setti...ngs. Holding a M.Sc. in Medical-Surgical Nursing under The Tamil Nadu Dr. Mgr. Medical University, Chennai, Ph.D. in Nursing and an MBA in Hospital Management in the Vinayaka mission Research Foundation, Salem.

With over 20 years of experience, she has held key positions as a staff nurse, senior staff nurse, Administrator and Assistant professor across prestigious institutions in India and the Maldives. Her teaching expertise and passion for nursing education have shaped numerous B.Sc., M.Sc., and Postgraduate Nursing students, while her commitment to advancing in nursing education is reflected in her role as a research guide.

Her extensive research contributions have resulted in 20 + publications in reputed National and International Journals. She has authored a book on Research Methodology and Publication Ethics Basics and continues to contribute actively to the field through her research.

Dr. Arockia Mary has presented her many research works at various International and National conferences, and her research areas focusing on contemporary nursing practices, interventions and lifestyle management in various medical and surgical nursing care settings. She is also an active participant in various conferences, webinars and workshops, continuously enhancing her expertise in emerging trends in education, practice and research in her nursing profession.

Her professional affiliations include memberships with the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council, the Trained Nurses Association of India, and several other prestigious bodies. Additionally, she serves as a Train the Trainer for Entrepreneurship Development at Villa College, Maldives, and guides research projects for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr. Arockia Mary is a strong advocate for the holistic development of healthcare practices, with a focus on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based research and innovative teaching practices. With her leadership in education, administration, and clinical practice, she continues to make significant strides in the nursing profession, contributing to the development of future Nursing leaders.

Karthiga Raghupathy

Senior Lecturer

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Pushparathi Chinnayan Nadar

Lecturer

Ms. Pushparathi is a dedicated Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Psychology at MS University, Tamil Nadu ...India, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. Ms. Pushparathi has been a valued member of the Villa College faculty for over 5 years.

With extensive experience as a Lecturer, Coordinator, Deputy Nursing Administrator, Senior Supervisor, and Nursing Educator, Ms. Pushparathi has a diverse skill set. Her research interests focus on the care of long-term and terminally ill patients, including their physical, psychological, and sociocultural needs and the availability of services.

Ms. Pushparathi is actively involved in teaching a range of modules including Leadership and Innovation, Essentials of Renal Care, Principles of Cancer Care, Assessment and Clinical Reasoning, Accelerating Learning for Professionals, Medical and surgical nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Nursing Theory and Practice, and Pharmacy - Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics. She also coordinates several programs such as the Diploma in Nursing, Certificate 4 in Pharmacy Program, and Certificate 4 in Nursing.

Ms. Pushparathi's expertise extends beyond the classroom. She has been instrumental in the development of courses such as Certificate 4 in Nursing and the Diploma in Nursing. She is also a consultant for the Kanyakumari Nurses Association Trust and the Sreeram Cancer Trust.

Ms. Pushparathi is a member of several organizations such as the Tamil Nadu Nurses Association, Kanyakumari Nurses Association Trust, and Sreeram Cancer Trust.

Modules Taught

  • Leadership and Innovation
  • Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
  • Community Health Nursing : Theory and Practice
  • Accelerating Learning for Professionals

Research Interests

  • Care of long-term and terminally ill patients, including their physical, psychological, and sociocultural needs and the availability of services

Contact

Marie-Eve Fetting

Lecturer

Ms Fetting recently joined as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Science at Villa College.
She began her career with a Diploma in nursing and then went on to complete her bachelor's degree in ...nursing with a specialisation in critical care in 2011, at the University of Sherbrooke in Canada. She is currently completing her master’s in nursing.

Before coming to the Maldives, she first worked in cardiac surgery and then in surgical intensive care. In 2016, she seized the opportunity to work in Switzerland. During this time, she trained as an intensive care nurse at the CHUV in Lausanne, while also working in general intensive care. In 2022, she moved to the Maldives and started working in intensive care in a tertiary hospital. She joins the Villa College team with over 16 years' experience in clinical practice, including 10 years in critical care.

She is currently coordinating the Bachelor of Nursing UWE program and teaching different modules including Accelerated Learning for Professionals, Leadership for health, Medical surgical practice and Nursing Practicum 2 modules.

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Videos

Mano Priya Vijayan, Health Sciences programmes, FHS