The 9th edition of the International
Conference on Intellectual Advancement (ICIA) commenced today at the Islamic
University of Maldives (IUM), with the Dean of the Centre for Research and
Publications, Dr. Aminath Shafiya Adam, hailing the conference's growth and
significance since its launch in 2016.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Shafiya
emphasized that ICIA has become synonymous with academic excellence and
real-world impact, addressing critical challenges at both national and
international levels.
She highlighted the conference's
evolution into a dynamic platform where innovative ideas are exchanged,
partnerships are formed, and knowledge is celebrated.
“This year marks a significant
milestone for us, with a remarkable increase in participation,” Dr. Shafiya
stated.
A total of 184 abstracts were
submitted, and after review and registration, 113 presentations were accepted.
Among these, 83 papers are in English, 18 in Arabic, and 12 in the local
language. Additionally, 79 full papers were submitted for publication in IUM’s
academic journals.
Dr. Shafiya also noted the
international presence at ICIA 2024, with over 59 submissions from researchers
representing 10 countries.
“This growth reflects the strong
reputation ICIA has built over the years, and the global relevance it now
holds,” she added.
Expressing her gratitude, Dr.
Shafiya thanked all researchers and reviewers for their contributions.
“A special thank you goes to our
dedicated reviewers, whose hard work and attention to detail have ensured the
high quality of this year’s submissions.”
This year’s conference also marks
the establishment of new academic collaborations, with ICIA formalizing
partnerships with two affiliated universities as publication partners.
“This development strengthens ICIA’s
academic foundation and opens new opportunities for high-quality research
output,” Dr. Shafiya said.
The 9th edition of ICIA is set to be
the most comprehensive yet, with over 402 registered participants, including
290 attending in person and 110 joining online. Pre-conference activities
included 12 workshops and five poster presentations.
Dr. Shafiya highlighted one of the
key features of this year’s event: papers submitted through externally funded
research projects in collaboration with other Maldivian organizations.
“This is a new milestone for IUM as
we expand our research portfolio to include projects in critical areas such as
health and tobacco control. It showcases our growing research capacity and our
commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture, as envisioned by His
Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizz,” she said.
Acknowledging the collective efforts
behind ICIA 2024, Dr. Shafiya praised the staff of IUM for their dedication.
“Organizing this conference has been
both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. Despite limitations in space
and resources, our staff have shown remarkable dedication. I commend the
collegial spirit and teamwork that has made ICIA 2024 a success.”
Dr. Shafiya concluded by encouraging
participants to embrace the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation
over the next two days of intellectual exploration.
“Together, we can drive impactful
discussions that will leave a lasting impression on academia, industry, and
society at large,” she said.
