(NEWS) Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry Concludes 8-Year Term as WMU President

June

2023

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry Concludes 8-Year Term as WMU President

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On 28 June, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry concluded her remarkable eight years as President of the World Maritime University (WMU). She leaves a lasting legacy of leadership and a wide range of accomplishments during her service to the University.

H.E. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Chancellor of WMU said, "I would like to express my utmost appreciation and that of IMO for the hard work and dedication of Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, whose unwavering steadfastness and devotion to the University has guided WMU to great achievements and continuous successes."

Reflecting on her tenure as WMU President, Dr. Doumbia-Henry expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity to lead WMU and highlighted the collective efforts of the University faculty and staff in advancing the University. "I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. It has been an honour to lead such a dedicated team, and I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support and commitment over the past eight years. I also thank the Chancellor, the Board of Governors, Executive Board, donors, faculty, staff, and of course the many students and alumni, for their enormous support during my tenure. It has been a tremendous honour, privilege, and highlight of my career to advance the mission of WMU towards securing a sustainable maritime and ocean future through excellence in education, research and global capacity building," she said.

Dr Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., who will assume the role of President on 29 June said, “After eight years of distinguished service, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry leaves a legacy of outstanding achievements. We are indebted to her service, passion, and dedication in advancing the University to even greater heights. I look forward to working together with my colleagues to build on these accomplishments in support of achieving a sustainable maritime industry and a brighter future for humanity, our oceans, and our planet.”

Dr. Doumbia-Henry was appointed President of WMU by the IMO Secretary-General and began her first term in June 2015 with a reappointment in 2019. Under her dynamic leadership, WMU achieved unprecedented growth through a strategic approach and unwavering commitment that propelled the organization to new heights, strengthening its position as a global centre of excellence in maritime and ocean education, research and capacity-building.

During Dr. Doumbia-Henry’s tenure as President, WMU spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives and achieved remarkable milestones resulting in significant institutional growth and recognition of the University globally. Among the many achievements, particularly noteworthy accomplishments include securing accreditation by the Government of Sweden for MSc and PhD degrees offered in Malmö, the introduction of new MSc specializations, establishment of the WMU- Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, increased financial contributions and the establishment of the Endowment Fund, attainment of a one-year reserve and annual budget increase, expanded donor portfolios, increased student enrolment, the inclusion of WMU Staff in the UN Pension Fund, provision of additional office facilities generously provided by the City of Malmö, and leading the University successfully through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to these substantive achievements, Dr. Doumbia-Henry continued throughout her service to WMU to be a tireless advocate for the rights of seafarers, and led the University in publishing two major reports relating to the Transport 2040: The Future of Work project, generously funded by the International Transport Federation Workers’ Union.

Dr. Doumbia-Henry’s wide-ranging accomplishments in the maritime sector led her to be selected for the Lloyd’s List Top 100 annual ranking of the most influential people in shipping, in 2021 and 2022.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

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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.

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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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Studying at WMU provided a multifaceted experience that extended beyond just academics, and there are two highlights worth mentioning to represent this. One, the amazing opportunity for intercultural exchange. I had the privilege of collaborating with researchers and experts from around the globe. This diverse gathering not only facilitated a unique learning environment but also opened doors to share varied perspectives. This exchange was instrumental to my research and learning process and enriched my career path. I found myself collaborating with and even speaking alongside some of the most respected experts in the field on renowned panels. Two, is a particularly exhilarating experience which was representing the university in the UN interagency games in 2022. I was honored to be a part of the first women's team from WMU. Against expectations, I managed to place third in my backstroke category, even though it was my first time participating in competitive swimming. Our team's dedication and hard work culminated in a podium finish, as we secured third place overall.

Post-graduation, my professional trajectory, initially aimed singularly at university teaching in Grenada, has evolved to include curricula development on marine conservation topics at various educational levels, aspiring to inspire the next generation. While my zeal for academia remains steadfast, my aspirations have broadened to encompass policy advocacy. My research, highlighting the striking linkages between marine litter and the overarching climate crisis, has fortified my resolve to employ these insights toward tangible change. Now, as I pivot towards a more policy-oriented role, I aim to work collaboratively with policymakers. My focus will be on underlining the Caribbean's unique environmental challenges, advocating for climate compensation, and concurrently influencing educational approaches on marine issues.

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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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