What an event that was in Malmo! A total of 132 students from 54 countries participating with a unique …”equality”: for the first time gender equality was achieved, 66 men and 66 women!
The President of WMU Prof Maximo Mejia, welcomed the students and so did the Secretary-General of IMO, Mr Arsenio Dominguez through a video message. Thereafter the Vice President (Provost) Prof. Daniel Moon presented the details of the Program and introduced the faculty members.
Then the key-note address was delivered by Dr. Marina Papaioannou, Regional Maritime Academies Manager, Maritime Service Center / Region South East Europe, DNV.
She stated that it was quite emotional for her to visit the University after 20 years and stressed the strong bonds she has built over the years. She also shared the experience of her first visit back in 2001 when the diversity of cultures filled the halls united by a vision and a purpose.
Moreover, she emphasised the cooperation of WMU with DNV and in particular the Academy with the joint delivery of the PGD on Executive Maritime Management, celebrating 10 years in a few weeks time.
She also urged the students to get the most of the Program and to connect deeply with their piers as these will be their life long friends that will join them in their professional journey wherever they find themselves .
She ended her speech with the reciting of Kavafis’ Ithaka by the iconic actor, the late Sean Connery, wishing them to enjoy the journey to their personal Ithakas.
Viewers can read here below Dr. Papaioannou’s speech in full:
