Class of 2023 Inauguration, Malmö
Inauguration of the World Maritime University’s (WMU) Class of 2023 in the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs, took place on 19 September in the Sasakawa Auditorium. The Malmö Class of 2023 includes 127 students from 54 countries.
In her welcome remarks, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, spoke of a “light on the horizon” in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, referencing the increased number of students who were able to arrive in Malmö for the Inauguration despite the global challenges still faced due to the pandemic. She thanked the host country of Sweden for their unwavering support as well as the many donors who have continued to provide fellowships throughout the pandemic.
President Doumbia-Henry spoke to the students about the value of taking risks, including their commitment to leave their home countries, families, and friends to study at WMU. She assured them that the journey would result in a transformation for their future saying, “Your knowledge of the maritime and ocean fields will be massively increased. Your knowledge of our world and its inhabitants will be transformed. You will grow in both ability and confidence, and in turn your growth will transform others.”
Guest Speaker, HE Anna Lindstedt, Sweden’s Ambassador for the Ocean, expressed the pride of Sweden in hosting the University. She emphasized the important role of maritime and ocean affairs in achieving a sustainable future for humanity and planet Earth, and maintained that collaboration will be key in collectively tackling the complex challenges we face today.
Guest speaker, Mr Svein Buvik, Chief External Affairs Officer for Gard AS and member of the WMU Executive Board, also addressed the gathering. He noted that in the eight years he has served on the Executive Board, he has been inspired by the continued growth of the University. In addition, he highlighted that WMU provides a unique opportunity for students in maritime and ocean affairs to come together and learn from one another, sharing the expertise and knowledge they already possess as professionals to enrich their collective studies at WMU.
Closing remarks were made by Professor Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, WMU Vice President (Academic Affairs) who emphasized the diversity of the incoming class of students that includes 54 students from Africa, 44 from Asia, 14 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 6 from Northern Africa and the Middle East, 4 from Europe, 2 from the Pacific region, 1 from North America and has strong delegations from Nigeria, the Philippines and Liberia. He commented on the unique nature of the Malmö MSc programme that has such a diverse mix of different nationalities in one programme, which is in the true spirit of the United Nations.
To learn more about the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs, click here.