The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is a postgraduate maritime university founded by IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations. Established by IMO in 1983, the aim of WMU is to further enhance the objectives and goals of IMO by providing higher education for the IMO member states around the world. Its mission is to “be the World Centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime education, training, and research, while building global capacity and sustainable development”. With more than 4,100 graduates from 166 countries WMU is truly an organization by and for the international maritime community.
Since inception, the Govt. of Sweden and the municipality of Malmo have provided tremendous support, both financial and in-kind. Late Dr. C.P. Srivastava, Secretary- General Emeritus, IMO and Founder Chancellor Emeritus WMU, had mentioned in his several speeches that, “never have so few done so much for so many”.
The Government of Sweden is one of the top financial contributors to the annual financial contribution which Sweden makes, since the establishment of the University, towards its operation. In addition to the financial support provided by the Government of Sweden, the University benefits from significant in-kind support provided, since its establishment, by the Municipality of Malmö.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed Sweden’s ongoing support to the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö following a meeting with Ms. Anna Johansson, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure, (on 27 January) during a visit to the renowned postgraduate maritime institute.
Mr. Lim, a former WMU graduate himself who is now also WMU Chancellor said Sweden had been a strong and loyal supporter of the World Maritime University since it was founded in 1983. Mr. Lim stated his intention to support the important capacity-building mission of the University and to promote the financial sustainability of WMU. He addressed the M.Sc. students in the class of 2016 as well as many of the full-time Ph.D. students, highlighting the value of his WMU education to his ultimate career path and noting a sense of responsibility as the first WMU graduate to hold the office of IMO Secretary-General, stating that he was the first of many to come.
Mr. Lim encouraged the students to have a dream for their future, and to take a step-by-step approach to make that dream come true. He highlighted the World Maritime Day theme for 2016, “Shipping: Indispensable to the World” and encouraged students to remain humble as they assume the top management roles in the vitally important maritime industry.
India has also benefited from WMU as there are over 60 post graduates trained at WMU and serving in senior positions in India and abroad so we too are grateful for Sweden’s continued support.
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