WMU International Day 2018

The annual WMU International Day celebration for 2018 was held on 18 August at the Henrik Smith Residence for students. The theme for this year’s event was “Unity in cultural diversity.” Over 300 people attended including students, staff, host families, friends and families of the students.  

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, WMU President, welcomed the gathering noting that 2018 is the 35th anniversary year of WMU since being founded by the International Maritime Organization in 1983. She thanked the Government of Sweden and the City of Malmö for their support of the University that, together with the support of other donors, ultimately enables WMU’s work and enhances global cooperation and capacity building.

There are currently 4,654 WMU graduates from 168 countries and President Doumbia-Henry encouraged everyone to reflect on the diversity that these numbers represent, as well as the unity that they foster. She stated, “The impact of the education and work undertaken at WMU cannot be underestimated. The majority of our global network of alumni have studied in Malmö within one of the most diverse environments available for maritime and ocean education. The seeds of unity are sown at WMU where students are exposed to cultures from around the world as they live and study together in the true spirit of the United Nations. The fruits of our capacity building mission are vast, far-reaching, and have a powerful impact on the sustainability of the maritime and ocean industries as well as advancing the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”  

International Day has been an annual event at WMU since 1999 and continues to be a highlight of activities and events spread throughout the academic year. This year over 50 countries were represented with national dress, cultural presentations and food.

For an album of photos from International Day 2018, click here.