Germany Fellows Event 2020
Four graduands in the Class of 2020 whose fellowships are funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure were recognized in a virtual ceremony on 29 September. Mr Reinhard Klingen Director General of the Central Department of the Ministry, and members of the Friends of WMU Germany attended the virtual event, as well as four German funded students in the Class of 2021.
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University (WMU), addressed the gathering. She thanked Germany for the significant support provided to the University since it was founded in 1983, noting that the Friends of WMU Germany was formally established earlier this year. “I am pleased that our students have an excellent support network with the Friends of WMU Germany. They will follow your future professional development as part of a global partnership for the benefit of the wider maritime and ocean community,” she said.
The eight students funded by Germany in the Class of 2020 and 2021 originate from Egypt, Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Timor-Leste. As the second largest provider of fellowships, the Federal Republic of Germany and partners in the German maritime industry have supported more than 300 students. Among the maritime leaders financed by Germany is Mr. Kitack Lim, the current Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, who is also the WMU Chancellor.
In addition to providing fellowships, at the 2016 Graduation Ceremony, Mr. Klingen, the Guest of Honour, announced that the Government of Germany would contribute one million euros to the World Maritime University’s Endowment Fund, which has been received by the University to help ensure its future financial sustainability. Further, Germany has consistently hosted field study trips for WMU students, and many German maritime and ocean experts have contributed to the education of WMU students as Visiting Lecturers. Funding and gifts-in-kind from Germany have also supported WMU research as well as the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute that was inaugurated in 2018.