Atmosphere Foundation’s first dive scholarship cohort completes PADI Divemaster training
Atmosphere Foundation has marked the completion of the first batch of its Dive Scholarship Programme, with 10 young Maldivians completing the pathway from beginner divers to PADI Divemasters.
The students completed the programme on 7 July 2026. The fully sponsored “Zero to Divemaster” initiative was delivered in partnership with Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre and led by Maldivian dive professional Zoona Naseem.
Over three months, five women and five men were based in Vilimalé, where their training, accommodation, meals and dive insurance were sponsored by Atmosphere Foundation.
The programme was designed to create a pathway into the marine and tourism sectors for young Maldivians. According to the Foundation, many of the participants joined with limited or no diving experience, while some also required additional swimming training before progressing through the course.
By the end of the programme, all 10 students had completed the full professional training pathway, from PADI Open Water Diver to PADI Divemaster.
The graduation ceremony was held on 7 July, attended by the students, their families, instructors and the Atmosphere Foundation team.
Speaking at the event, Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation, said the programme was launched with the aim of helping create “working sons and daughters of the Maldives” through intensive training. He said the three-month course was designed not only to develop technical diving skills, but also to build responsibility, confidence, punctuality and professionalism.
Three students secured job contracts before the course was completed, reflecting demand for trained Maldivian dive professionals in the country’s marine and tourism industries, the Foundation said.
During the programme, students completed PADI Open Water Diver training, supported by additional swim classes for those who needed to build confidence in the water. They then progressed to Emergency First Response, obtaining an internationally recognised first aid certification, before moving on to Advanced Open Water training.
Their advanced training included night diving, wreck diving, deep diving, drift diving and peak performance buoyancy diving. Students also logged dozens of dives and completed theory sessions covering dive physics, physiology, dive tables, safety procedures and the foundations of professional diving.
The programme also included a marine conservation component. Students completed a PADI AWARE Coral Conservation course and received a lecture from Abdul Azeez on coral reef restoration efforts in the Maldives, including coral planting and reef regeneration work.
The final phase of the course focused on Rescue Diver training and Divemaster development. Students were trained to recognise distress, respond to underwater emergencies, assist other divers, supervise dive activities and begin taking on leadership responsibilities expected of professional divers.
Atmosphere Foundation said applications for the second Dive Scholarship Programme are already under way. The interview phase has begun, and the next batch is scheduled to start training on 11 July 2026.
Through the initiative, Atmosphere Foundation said it aims to create opportunities for young Maldivians, promote ocean stewardship and support the development of skilled local professionals for the Maldives’ marine and tourism sectors.
