WMU Distance Learning Graduation Ceremony
A virtual graduation ceremony for World Maritime University (WMU) graduates in the distance learning programmes was held on 6 November. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible for the students to travel to Malmö, Sweden for the annual graduation ceremony that took place earlier in the week, therefore the graduation ceremony for the distance learning programmes was held entirely virtually.
The Class of 2020 distance learning graduates include 63 students - including 22 women - from 31 countries; 5 in the International Maritime Law LLM, and for the postgraduate diploma programmes, 22 in International Maritime Law, 17 in Executive Maritime Management, 8 in Maritime Energy, 6 in Marine Insurance and 5 in Maritime Safety & Security. They have received the education required to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in their home countries as well as within the broader maritime and ocean community.
In addressing the graduands via video conferencing, WMU President, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, highlighted that the Class of 2020 will always be remembered for their strength and resilience in pursuing and completing their studies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the important role the graduates will play in the rebuilding process saying, “We will all rely on you to lead the way into the future. You are the citizens of our globalized world. Its future is in your hands. You know and understand the benefits of sustained development, secure governance, the fight against climate change. You are ambassadors for the whole United Nations system, and the opinion formers who will work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Bring this knowledge to bear in the rebuilding process, so that your values are embedded in the new tomorrow.”
In a pre-recorded address, HE Mr Kitack Lim, the first International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General and WMU Chancellor to hold a MSc degree from WMU the thanked the City of Malmö and the Government of Sweden for their continued generosity and support in hosting the University, as well as the many donors for their ongoing commitment to the WMU mission and its sustainability. From the perspective of being a WMU graduate himself, Mr Lim remarked that the WMU experience will have a profound impact on the lives of the graduates. He said, “I trust you to use your new expertise for the benefit of all of us, and that you will foster sustainable development in support of achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. When you are advising or representing your country, or when you are negotiating with international partners, you will rely on the education and training that you have received at the World Maritime University.”
The Guest of Honour was Ms Carina Nilsson, Chairperson of the Malmö City Council and Mayor of Malmö. In a pre-recorded address, the Mayor noted that the City is proud to host the University and emphasized the unique, shared partnership. “The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a guiding star for both the city of Malmö and for the World Maritime University. They are at the core of everything we do. We as a city work hard to ensure that our residents know that what happens globally impacts us here locally and also the reverse, what we do here has a direct impact on our surrounding world,” she said.
Student awards made during the ceremony are as follows: the Informa Law - Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Prize was awarded to Mr Hamid Reza Soltani Motlagh from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Richard Charvet Bursary World Traders' Prizes were awarded to Mr Daniel Smith and Ms Natasha Clarke, both from the United Kingdom.
The graduating Class of 2020, overall, includes 226 Graduates from 79 countries. Roughly a third of the graduates are women. The Class of 2020 is composed of 116 MSc graduates from the Malmö headquarters, and 46 graduates from the China programmes, making a total number of 161 MSc graduates in 2020; one PhD graduate; and 63 graduates from the distance learning programmes including 5 LLM graduates. A virtual ceremony for distance learning students took place on 6 November. The 2020 graduation ceremonies bring the total number of WMU graduates to 5,382 from 170 countries.
WMU’s programmes by distance learning are designed to offer flexibility to meet the educational needs of maritime professionals, organizations and administrations, and to build maritime capacity globally. Our distance-learning programmes are an important investment for our students and makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for expertise across the international maritime community. The distance learning programmes offer a blend of academic theory and business practice, and are delivered by the University directly, or in partnership with leading providers of maritime training and education.
