(NEWS) President Doumbia-Henry Meets United States Friends of WMU

March

2016

President Doumbia-Henry Meets United States Friends of WMU

On 7 March, President Doumbia-Henry was hosted by the U.S. Friends of World Maritime University, Inc. (U.S. Friends) at the American Petroleum Institute in Washington, D.C. The members of U.S. Friends, consisting of major industry representatives and former senior officials of American maritime agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, have supported WMU since 1984. Over the years, this prestigious group of WMU supporters has established a network of stakeholders in the U.S. to promote the University’s strategic aims and objectives in educating maritime industry leaders.

A significant accomplishment of the U.S. Friends has been their contributions to WMU’s operational activities, including the launching and funding of the “Kinney Lectures” in memory of one of the founding Rectors of the University, Rear Admiral Sheldon Kinney. Internationally renowned experts in different areas of maritime transportation give these public lectures on significant topics in maritime transportation. The lecture has been held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the University’s international Board of Governors.The U.S. Friends will renew the Kinney Lectures and will continue to act as an interlocutor of WMU with the maritime sector in the U.S., promoting the University’s aims, objectives and academic programs. The partners agree to strengthen this relationship taking into account the new strategic directions and goals of WMU.

President Doumbia-Henry stated, “I am delighted and encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of the U.S. Friends of WMU, who for more than 30 years have with determination pursued efforts to raise the profile of the University within the U.S. in recognition of its contribution to sustainable maritime transportation, the promotion of clean energy, ocean governance and maritime and oceans research. I look forward to working with U.S. Friends of WMU to strengthen our partnership as the University continues to grow and expand its mandate to enable the maritime industry to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.”

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