(NEWS) WMU Delivers Second Annual Maritime Administration EPEx Programme

October

2023

WMU Delivers Second Annual Maritime Administration EPEx Programme

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From 18 to 29 September, the World Maritime University (WMU) held the second annual Education for Professional Excellence (EPEx) programme focused on Maritime Administration. Offered as two, one-week modules, the programme provided an academic offering to professionals in the maritime and ocean sectors and was specifically designed to equip individuals with specialized knowledge and insight for optimal success in Maritime Affairs.

Safe, secure, environmentally friendly, and efficient transport of the world’s goods requires a robust international legal and regulatory framework. Without a common, universal framework, the world’s ships would have to navigate through a maze of differing and potentially conflicting national laws and requirements. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the development, adoption, and updating of treaties, conventions, standards, and other legislation that comprise this framework. Other UN organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), also contribute to this framework.

Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., WMU President, welcomed the participants to the first module, emphasizing the important role maritime administrations play in enforcing the various maritime treaties and conventions they have accepted. He highlighted that WMU is the perfect host for a programme focused on Maritime Administration as WMU fulfills a vital function of building capacity among IMO member States for the effective implementation of treaties and conventions.

In total, 21 participants from 17 countries participated in the programme that featured high level speakers from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Swedish Transport Agency, Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), International Organization of Airport & Seaport Police (INTERPORTPOLICE), as well as the former Chair of the IMO Legal Committee. The first week of EPEx focused on Essentials of Maritime Administration. The second week of EPEx provided insights on Maritime Administrations and International Organizations, concluding with a simulated IMO Committee meeting.

With its unique concentration of international maritime and ocean expertise and unparalleled network of alumni and visiting faculty, WMU is proud to offer the EPEx programme to equip key and senior maritime administration personnel with skills and knowledge at both basic and advanced levels. The EPEx portfolio offers short courses for government officials and industry professionals who wish to gain a deeper understanding of maritime and ocean topics through modules that employ a combination of classroom lectures, presentations, group work/interaction, expert panels, and simulation exercises. Through its educational offerings, WMU meets the needs and requirements of particular organizations and actively supports the commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The annual EPEx programme was open to professionals interested in gaining a thorough understanding of Maritime Administration. The Johor Port Authority (LPJ) of Malaysia provided funds to sponsor several WMU students, who will be graduating in October, to attend the programme.

For more information about the EPEx programme on Maritime Administration, click here.

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