In Memoriam: Dr. Karl Laubstein

Dr. Karl Laubstein, Rector/President Emeritus of the World Maritime University from 1996-2008, passed away on 14 April in Malmö, Sweden after a prolonged illness.

Dr. Laubstein was born in Germany, studied economics and political science, gaining his PhD from the University of Toronto. He held a nautical diploma from Bremen Nautical School, and sailed as a ship’s officer in the merchant marine before emigrating to Canada. He spent almost seven years in Africa, first in Kenya where he carried out research on development planning, and later in southern Africa, where he taught for five years at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Due to his experience as a senior government official in the maritime field, his academic training and university experience in Canada and in developing countries, and his background in the merchant marine, Dr. Laubstein held a succession of senior management posts with the Canadian Government beginning in 1977. Prior to his appointment as Rector of WMU, he served as the Director General of Industry renewal in the Canadian Government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He was responsible for major federal initiatives on fishing industry reform and restructuring, including the US1.9 billion Atlantic Groundfish Strategy programme.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, extended her sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Laubstein on behalf of the World Maritime University community.