Nominations for the 'President's National Award for Special Achievement’ are to be opened on Sunday.

The Special Awards Committee on Thursday announced that they will be accepting nominations through the designated portal starting April 16.

The deadline for nominations has been set at June 1.

The 'President's National Award for Special Achievement’ will be conferred to individuals who have performed exceptionally well and made substantial contributions to national progress.

Just like previous years, the award will be conferred in four categories this year as well.

Individuals who have performed exceptionally well in the field of higher education and training are eligible for the first category. Nominees are required to have a certificate equal to Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) ranking level 10 with an exceptional result and individuals acquiring certification equivalent to MQA ranking levels 7, 8, 9 and having achieved the highest rank in their course at their higher education institution to be eligible for the first category.

The second category is for those who excelled in an international competition or exhibition.

Individuals who have created innovative and effective solutions to persistent national issues through research are eligible for the awards under the third category.

The fourth category is for those who showed exceptional creativity and innovation in their field and have had a positive impact on the national progress. Individuals must be between 18 and 35 years of age to be eligible for this category.

In 2022 a fifth category was introduced by the government to coincide with the 50th-anniversary celebrations of tourism in the Maldives. The category recognized the outstanding, creative and innovative contributions of tourism sector stakeholders and staff towards developing the industry and the nation.