(NEWS) WMU Women's Association Established

August

2014

WMU Women's Association Established

The World Maritime University Women’s Association (WMUWA) was officially launched on 9 August 2014 during the International Day celebrations at the WMU Henrik Smith Residence. The Association’s constitution was signed on behalf of the WMU administration by Neil Bellefontaine, Acting President, and Patrick Donner, Acting Vice President Academic, and on behalf of the WMUWA by Class of 2014 students Deniece Aiken who will serve as the first President of the Association, and Medina Thiam who will serve as Vice President.

Women in the Class of 2014 were inspired to form the WMUWA due to the Maritime Women: Global Leadership (MWGL) International Conference hosted this past spring by WMU in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In his remarks at the launch of the WMUWA, Acting President Bellefontaine congratulated the Class of 2014 on the formation of the Association noting it was a welcome initiative that was well overdue.

As stated in the WMUWA Constitution, the purpose of the Association is to “connect, educate, and inspire women in the maritime industry and to promote female maritime professionals.” By increasing the involvement of WMU women in the maritime industry, the Association aims to support the welfare of the WMU female community as well as female maritime professionals globally. Membership is open to all current students at WMU as well as WMU alumni with a one-time membership fee of 100SEK.

As the person who established IMO’s strategy for the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector, Pamela Tansey, Senior Deputy Director of IMO’s Technical Cooperation Division, has provided significant support for the foundation of the WMUWA since meeting with the women in the Class of 2014 during the MWGL conference.

Although Ms. Tansey was not able to attend the launch of the WMUWA, her remarks were read by WMUWA President, Deniece Aiken. She commended the Class of 2014 for establishing the Association noting that “despite the success of women at WMU, there is an ongoing discrepancy between training and the career opportunities afforded to women in the shipping industry.” She therefore noted the importance of the WMUWA in supporting the network between current students and alumni, the value of mentorship for new graduates by successful alumni, and the benefit of the collective advancement of women in the maritime professions with a focus on education and knowledge.

In support of the WMUWA goal to provide an annual fellowship for a female student in the WMU Malmö M.Sc. program, Ms. Tansey’s remarks announced that the IMO-funded fellowship has been allocated for the WMUWA and awarded to a student from Viet Nam who will begin her studies this September.

To join the WMUWA, click here.

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