On 2 November, the latest cohort of the maritime and oceans leaders of tomorrow graduated from the World Maritime University (WMU). The Class of 2024 has received the education required to contribute to maritime and oceans issues in their home countries and more broadly to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The graduating class includes 260 graduates from over 70 countries.
Welcome remarks were delivered by WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. As a WMU graduate himself, President Mejia reflected on the power of the WMU experience in shaping the way WMU graduates think, work, plan and interact. He said, “I charge you today, to always cherish the great benefits you have gained from this incredible academic programme that not only offered you studies in maritime and oceans affairs, but also offered you the opportunity to work and live together as global citizens in the true United Nations spirit of peace, understanding, harmony, and a shared resolve to make our world a better place.” He encouraged the graduates to, in time, do everything within their means to allow others the same unique opportunity to study at WMU.
In his first graduation address as Chancellor of WMU, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 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 University. In his advice to the graduates, he emphasized that they don’t need to have all the answers. He encouraged them to rely on their WMU friendships and extended networks to navigate obstacles and transform challenges into opportunities. He highlighted that sharing their knowledge and experiences would be invaluable, enriching them both personally and professionally.
On behalf of the City of Malmö, Ms Carina Nilsson, Mayor and Chairperson of the Malmö City Council addressed the gathering and expressed the City’s pride in hosting the University. She congratulated the graduates noting that one of the greatest strengths of WMU is its diverse community, and as a diverse City with over 180 nationalities, Malmö is a fitting home for WMU. She congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that while a degree is a significant academic achievement, it represents so much more. She said, “The skills you have gained here have set you on a course to become ocean and maritime leaders. The work you will do will be instrumental in creating a safer and most sustainable world.”
The 2024 graduation ceremony brings the total number of WMU graduates to 6,340 from 170 countries and territories.
Annual Student Awards
Mr Hyunho Kim (Republic of Korea) received the Richard Charvet Scholarship for the best student specializing in Maritime Law and Policy. Read an interview with Hyunho Kim here.
Mr Gregor-Louis Priesnitz (Germany) received the Richard Charvet Scholarship for the best student of the Master of Laws in International Maritime Law.
