WMU celebrates its 34th anniversary
The 4th of July 2017 marked the 34th anniversary of the founding of the World Maritime University (WMU). In the more than three decades since its founding in 1983, the University’s academic portfolio and student intake has expanded substantially as well as its mandate which today includes ocean affairs.
On the occasion of this anniversary, WMU President, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry stated, “WMU has grown from strength to strength over these 34 years educated, built capacity and undertaken leading edge research on maritime and marine issues for the international maritime community. Its influence today, on and within the maritime community, is extraordinary and its impact is measurable with 4,359 graduates from 166 countries. Many of our graduates hold highly influential and senior positions including Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO. WMU today is charting a new course for a better world. In this regard, we are committed to continuing our invaluable education, research and capacity-building mission while supporting the implementation and achievement of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”
At the beginning of the 1980s, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) identified a shortage of well-qualified, highly educated maritime experts, particularly in developing nations. To address this gap, the IMO decided to establish WMU in order to support member States with high-level education and to train experts to implement international Conventions, in particular the IMO instruments. With the financial support of the Swedish government, the City of Malmö, and private donations, the World Maritime University (WMU) was inaugurated on 4 July 1983.
The academic offerings of the University have expanded beyond the original Master of Science degree in Maritime Affairs. In addition to seven maritime-related specializations available within the Malmö MSc programme, a PhD programme, and an MPhil in cooperation with the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), WMU offers two MSc specializations in Shanghai and Dalian, China. A Distance Learning programme was also added to the academic portfolio, including an LLM in International Maritime Law as well as Postgraduate Diploma programmes in Executive Maritime Management, Marine Insurance, Maritime Energy, International Maritime Law, and Maritime Safety & Security. WMU utilizes its extensive network of international maritime experts to complement its academic programme, professional development courses and support WMU’s international conferences on key topics of importance to the maritime and ocean community.
