(NEWS) New WMU Premises Inaugurated and Recognition of UN Day

October

2021

New WMU Premises Inaugurated and Recognition of UN Day

United Nations (UN) Day is celebrated annually on 24 October marking the anniversary of entry into force of the UN’s Charter in 1945. United Nations Day has been celebrated on 24 October since 1948. The World Maritime University (WMU) marked the occasion on 22 October with the inauguration of new premises, generously provided by the host City of Malmö, that provide additional office space for WMU staff, faculty, researchers, PhD students as well as visiting faculty.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, welcomed Carina Nilsson, Chairperson of the Malmö City Council, who joined WMU on the occasion of inaugurating the new facilities. President Doumbia-Henry thanked Ms Nilsson and the City of Malmö saying, “We are so grateful to the City of Malmö for the constant support they have provided to us from the start. We express our deepest thanks and appreciation for the recognition that WMU is growing and the opportunity to acquire additional office space to accommodate our faculty, staff and students to support our mission of global maritime and ocean capacity building.”

In her remarks, Ms Nilsson said that the City is proud to host the University, which is the only UN institution in Sweden. She stated that the University is considered as an integral part of the City and noted with appreciation the common interest and cooperation in supporting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She also noted that the University reflects the City of Malmö which is relatively young and international in the makeup of its residents of which 50% are under the age of 35.

‍“Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world” is the theme for the 76th anniversary of UN Day. The theme is intended to be a symbol of hope for global unity as the world continues to grapple with the unprecedented global health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused severe economic and social impacts.

Established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, WMU’s mission is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development.

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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.

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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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