(NEWS) Shipping Podcast with President Doumbia-Henry

August

2017

Shipping Podcast with President Doumbia-Henry

The latest Shipping Podcast features Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU. In the interview, she speaks about how her passion for maritime evolved and the importance of providing the best possible education to the maritime leaders of tomorrow.

“Maritime is the sector for which I have the greatest passion. By virtue of the fact it is so global, and you have global reach, it has impact on lives of everyone around the world. What I can now do, is ensure, as President of WMU, that I educate, that I build capacity for that global industry so that WMU serves not just as the research platform for maritime and oceans, but that the leaders that come through the walls of the university, and that we attract, are the ones that are going to transform the world economy, “ said Dr. Doumbia-Henry.

In the interview she addresses raising awareness about the indispensable role of seafarers for the global economy and the critical importance of the shipping industry to our daily lives, emphasizing the contribution shipping can make to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Further, she provides insight into the development of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 during her extensive career at the United Nations International Labour Organization that encompasses her devotion to gender equality and people’s rights.

Finally, Dr. Doumbia-Henry calls for all stakeholders to get involved with raising the global profile of shipping, and to engage with WMU, the UN centre of excellence for postgraduate maritime and oceans-related education, to build maritime capacity and support a sustainable future for the maritime industry and protect our ocean.

To listen to the podcast, click here.

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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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