The fifth meeting of Committee of Heads of University Grant Commission at Bandos Island Resort yesterday morning. The Vice President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik inaugurated the meeting.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting the Vice President said that in order to achieve the goals for regional prosperity, SAARC must find ways to combine forces. He further looked into the role played by the South Asian region in today’s global environment. The Vice President also said that challenges posed by terrorism, climate change, poverty, alarming rates of illiteracy, maternal mortality and malnutrition restrain the development of the South Asian region. However, the Vice President said that he was confident, that these challenges would invoke a greater desire for SAARC cooperation and synergy, and overcome these challenges collectively.

The Vice President also spoke about the benefits the SAARC countries would get once the SAARC university is opened in 2010.

The Director of SAARC, Mr. Rishi Ram Ghimire gave the introduction speech at the meeting.

A dinner hosted by the Vice President in honor of the delegates was held at Hulhule’ Island Hotel last evening.