On 31 October, the maritime leaders of tomorrow graduated from the World Maritime University (WMU www.wmo.se . The Class of 2022 has received the education required to contribute to maritime and ocean matters in their home countries and more broadly to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Overall, the graduating class included 276 graduates from 70 countries, and set a record of 94 women graduates.

WMU President, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, delivered welcome remarks highlighting the return of the first normal graduation since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She congratulated the graduands and highlighted the importance of the WMU alumni network that will be particularly crucial in the years to come as there are only eight years left to achieve the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Doumbia-Henry commented: ‘You will have battles to fight, you will need to be careful and strategic in accomplishing your goals. But, together you will be able to make change happen, and the world will be a better place, thanks to your efforts.’

Algerian IHMA Member graduates

We at IHMA are delighted to report that Captain Benyebka Cherigui, former Harbour Master at the Port of Mostaganem, Algeria, graduated that day

He took a sabbatical from work when he was accepted by the WMU in Malmo, Sweden for the academic year 2021-2022 to study for a Master of Science degree in Maritime Affairs specializing in the Maritime Safety & Environment Administration.

Currently he is collaborating on a research project being conducted at the WMU on the transition to low and near-zero carbon emissions in ports. He has been a member of IHMA since 2017.

Picture caption

Our photograph shows, from the right, HE Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary General, followed by Captain Benyebka Cherigui and Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, the WMU President, during the graduation ceremony.