(NEWS) City of Malmö Welcome Dinner, 2019

October

2019

City of Malmö Welcome Dinner, 2019

The City of Malmö Welcome Dinner has been an annual event since 2001. This year’s dinner was held on October 17 in the Old City Hall with over 300 guests in attendance including current students and their families, host families, and WMU faculty and staff. The annual Welcome Dinner is the occasion when the new students are introduced to their local host families.

The City of Malmö has hosted the World Maritime University (WMU) since 1983, when the University was inaugurated by the International Maritime Organization. Ms. Carina Nilsson, Chairman of the Malmö City Council, and WMU Governor, welcomed the guests to the historic Old City Hall. Ms. Nilsson noted the honor of hosting WMU in Malmö as the University makes a unique contribution to the local community as well as globally, educating the maritime and ocean leaders that will have a significant impact on the global economy which is dependent on trade, and the ocean on which humanity is dependent. She also noted the diversity of Malmö with over 170 countries represented, so the new students could certainly find someone from their own country living in the city.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, represented the University and thanked the City for their ongoing support. The Class of 2020 is comprised of 114 students from 53 countries and the President highlighted they will now build their global maritime network studying at WMU in the true spirit of the United Nations. She emphasized the important role the host families play in welcoming the students to Sweden, and into their homes, to experience Swedish culture. “After their studies in Malmö - which becomes a beloved second home away from home - each and every WMU student returns to their home country as ambassadors for Sweden and especially for its warm-hearted City of Malmö where they have enjoyed such a wealth of experience,” she said.

Newly elected Student Council President for the Class of 2020, Mr. Abas Mohamed Yusuf from Somalia/Ethiopia, thanked the City for their generosity which ultimately fosters future maritime leaders from around the globe. He noted the Class of 2020 had already experienced and appreciated Swedish hospitality and were looking forward to advancing as global maritime and ocean leaders while learning about Swedish culture through their host families.
WMU organizes the host family programme to help foster contact with, and insight into, Swedish culture. Each host family is matched with one or two students who are invited to their host’s home during the 14-month programme of study at WMU. Many of the relationships fostered result in lifelong friendships that are maintained after the students graduate and return home. For information about becoming a host family for WMU students, contact info@wmu.se.

For a full album of photos, click here.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

Undoubtedly, a highlight of my educational journey at WMU was the opportunity to forge connections with influential change-makers and thought leaders hailing from every corner of the globe. This invaluable chance to engage with individuals on an international scale has not only enabled me to expand my global network but has also served as a conduit for immersing myself in the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. Through these global interactions, I've gained a profound understanding of different perspectives, traditions, and approaches, contributing significantly to my personal and academic growth. This experience goes beyond mere networking and has also played a pivotal role in fostering stronger connections within the Caribbean region from which I hail.

Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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I chose the World Maritime University for my PhD studies in Maritime Affairs because of several reasons, including its academic reputation and strong postgraduate degrees in maritime and ocean science-related programmes, a range of international modules, and the diverse group of students and faculty members. WMU is in Sweden, one of the EU countries with the best gender equality ranking worldwide. As a woman in marine science who faced several challenges in the industry, I was mainly attracted to the Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development programme offered at the university. This unique programme aims to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in ocean science to increase women’s participation in ocean science and advance the sustainable management and governance of ocean spaces and maritime activities at all levels through capacity building.

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I have had a fantastic journey and an incredible and rewarding experience at WMU. Studying here came with many blessings and was one of the best decisions I have ever made. First, my supervisors were resourceful, outstanding and very supportive, who dedicated their time to mentor and guide my research work. Their guidance, advice, motivation, kindness, understanding and support were instrumental and helped me achieve my academic goals to reach where I am today. Second, the university has a strong family bond, is well-organized, and embraces teamwork, and I received immense support from the GOI and WMU secretariat. Also, I managed to interact with many students from different nationalities, exchanged ideas and discovered/learned a lot of things from the various cultures, especially during the annual celebration of the WMU International Day, made new friends from around the world, expanded my network and immensely improved my global view.

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