(NEWS) WMU Hosts Inaugural Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Training

October

2025

WMU Hosts Inaugural Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Training

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From 6–10 October, the World Maritime University (WMU), in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International), delivered the in-person segment of the inaugural Women’s Leadership and Empowerment (WLE) training course. The programme brought together 13 women from developing countries sponsored by the IMO, two private sector participants sponsored by WISTA International, and two WMU PhD students, creating a truly international and multidisciplinary learning environment.

The WLE programme is a pioneering initiative designed to strengthen leadership, project management, and empowerment skills that drive positive change across the global maritime sector. The tri-stage course began in September with 3-days of online learning focused on foundational theory, including project design and management, gender mainstreaming, critical thinking, and strategic and entrepreneurial approaches. The course will conclude in late October with 2-days of online learning focused on coaching, mentoring and career development.

The week-long in-person component at WMU emphasized applied learning through teamwork, leadership analysis, public speaking, effective communication, and gender-responsive project management. The course will conclude later in October with a final online segment centered on personal development, coaching, mentoring, and career advancement planning. Gender equality runs as a cross-cutting theme throughout the programme, with each module incorporating transformative learning, participatory design, and strength-based leadership methodologies.

Empowering Women Leaders in Maritime

Targeting mid-career women professionals in the maritime and ocean sectors, the WLE course is tailored for those currently in—or aspiring to—leadership positions within public administration, industry development, and public–private partnerships. The programme reflects WMU’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and building leadership capacity across the maritime field.

The initiative contributes directly to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and reinforces the long-standing IMO–WMU partnership in capacity development and inclusive leadership. Participants will return to their home countries equipped with personalized leadership roadmaps to champion innovation, diversity, and positive transformation within the maritime industry.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

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My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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