(NEWS) Malmö Class of 2024 Inauguration - Record Enrolment of Women

September

2023

Malmö Class of 2024 Inauguration - Record Enrolment of Women

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Inauguration of the World Maritime University’s (WMU) Class of 2024 in the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs, took place on 18 September in the Sasakawa Auditorium. The Class includes 130 students from 48 countries with a record enrolment of 52 women comprising 40 percent of the intake.

In his welcome remarks, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of WMU, spoke of the WMU vision - To inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime and oceans future - noting that upon graduation, the students would return to their home countries prepared with the knowledge to be agents of sustainable change in the maritime and oceans sectors. He spoke of his own career path from WMU graduate in 1994 to serving in the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard, joining the WMU faculty, heading the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Philippines, and now becoming the first WMU graduate to lead the University.

“I wanted to share my story to offer an example of how the University works towards cultivating future talents and empowering you to be the best maritime and oceans leaders of the future that you can be. But keep in mind that the goal is not about attaining positions such as President or Director-General, or Secretary-General, Minister, or Prime Minister. The goal is for you to give the best possible contribution you can in whichever position of responsibility you may find yourself,” said President Mejia.

Guest Speaker, Mr Andreas Nordseth, Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority and member of the WMU Board of Governors addressed the gathering. He emphasized that the shipping industry is on the brink of transformative changes with the challenges faced by the climate crisis, the shift to climate neutral shipping, and the need to find sustainable solutions. He said, “We must not overlook the need for individuals who can design and implement the framework of the future. That includes rules, regulations, standards, training programmes, and educational processes. This requires individuals with the right skills, and competencies, particularly leadership abilities, and not least the vision to design what works for the future… If you seize this opportunity [at WMU] you will hold the keys to how we confront the challenges of the future.”

Closing remarks were made by Professor Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, WMU Vice President (Academic Affairs) who emphasized the diversity of the incoming class of students that includes 59 students from Africa, 48 from Asia, 13 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 6 from Oceania, and 4 from Northern Africa and the Middle East, with strong delegations from Nigeria, the Philippines, Kenya and Ghana. He commented on the unique nature of the Malmö MSc programme that has such a diverse mix of different nationalities in one programme, which is in the true spirit of the United Nations.

To learn more about the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs, click here.

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