Dr. Anwar shares his passion for making a difference in the lives of young people

Waves of Wisdom Episode 30: Dr. Ahmed Anwar and the “Unretirable” Mindset

Hospitality leader, professional speaker, and executive coach Iyaz Waheed is the host of Waves of Wisdom, an international podcast where he sits down with remarkable people to explore leadership, purpose, and what it truly means to live a life that never stops giving.

In its 30th episode, Iyaz spoke with Dr. Ahmed Anwar, one of the most respected figures in Maldivian education. Their conversation went beyond titles and achievements, diving deep into purpose, faith, and what it means to live an “unretirable” life — one driven by passion and service.

From Meedhoo to Male’: A Journey Rooted in Learning

Dr. Anwar grew up in Meedhoo, Addu Atoll, in a family that valued education even when opportunities were scarce. His father, a fisherman who later worked as an electrician on the British base in Gan, spoke several languages and encouraged his children to study hard. That early support built the foundation for everything that came after.

As a young student, Dr. Anwar moved to Male’ and lived with his relative Ali Najeeb, a respected and multi-talented figure. Najeeb’s home was often filled with island leaders and changemakers discussing challenges and ideas. Listening to them shaped Dr. Anwar’s understanding of leadership and community at an early age.

He later joined Majeedhiya School, one of the top schools in the country, but his true calling revealed itself when he began teaching at a small private school called Uloomia. “It wasn’t just a love for education,” he shared. “It was a love for disadvantaged children.” That empathy for students with fewer opportunities became the driving force behind his lifelong mission.

Early Leadership and Education Reform

At just 24 years old, Dr. Anwar was appointed Atoll Chief of Noonu Atoll. Leading thousands of people and managing crises like a cholera outbreak forced him to grow fast and develop resilience. It also deepened his connection with people at every level of society.

After returning to the education sector, he pursued studies in India and later at the University of Edinburgh, where he learned about holistic education — an approach that values academics, sports, culture, and life skills equally. As a headmaster in Komandoo and later Eydhafushi, he implemented these ideas, focusing on nurturing the whole person rather than teaching for exams.

When he joined the Ministry of Education, Dr. Anwar and a group of passionate young educators took on long-standing inequalities in the system. Using the UNESCO “Education for All” declaration as leverage, they successfully pushed to reduce the teacher-student ratio in island schools and secure more funding for under-resourced communities. They also introduced a programming budget that exposed the imbalance between schools in Male’ and the islands.

“For the first time, island schools were able to submit their own budgets directly to the Ministry of Finance,” he said. “We created that movement.”

The Birth of Villa College

Dr. Anwar was later transferred to the Ministry of Higher Education, where he was asked to revive the Maldives Accreditation Board. What could have been a bureaucratic role turned into another opportunity to make lasting change. Within weeks, he cleared a huge backlog of certificates and helped restore confidence in the system.

Soon after, he was approached by Hon. Gasim Ibrahim with a bold idea — to help establish Villa College. Starting in a house on Majeedhee Magu, spread across three apartments, Dr. Anwar and his small team wrote the proposal, handled the registration, and built the institution from the ground up.

Partnering with Open University Malaysia, Villa College launched its first degree and master’s programs in Business, IT, and Education. The public response was overwhelming. “People came in large numbers,” Dr. Anwar said. “The space was not enough.”

That moment revealed how deeply Maldivians wanted access to higher education without leaving the country. Villa College helped set new benchmarks for quality and accessibility, sparking momentum that encouraged other universities and colleges to improve.

The Heart of an “Unretirable” Life

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Anwar exemplified the spirit of the Waves of Wisdom podcast — a life of continuous learning, growth, and service.

When asked what keeps him going, he answered simply, “It is the passion. You’ve got to give something to the people.” He spoke about the Japanese idea of finding happiness in staying active and how lifelong learning keeps the mind sharp and the heart engaged.

Faith also plays a central role in his philosophy. “Without faith, there is no strength,” he said. His daily practice of memorizing and reflecting on the Quran gives him peace, clarity, and purpose.

When asked if he ever thinks about retirement, he smiled. “Why should you be thinking of retiring, not working? You’ve got to work. You’ve got to give.” His proudest moments, he said, are when former students — now successful professionals — approach him and say, “Sir, you made a difference in my life.” For him, that is the true reward of an unretirable life.

A Life That Inspires Others

Episode 30 of Waves of Wisdom is more than an interview. It’s a reminder that an “unretirable” life isn’t about working forever — it’s about never stopping your contribution. Dr. Anwar’s journey shows how purpose, faith, and passion can turn even the simplest beginnings into a lifelong legacy.

Watch and Listen to the Full Episode: Waves of Wisdom – Episode 30: Dr. Ahmed Anwar and the “Unretirable” Mindset

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