Africa shines at WMU Graduation ceremony

Taking the stage in Sweden

South Africa’s own BlaqMermaid, Captain Londy Ngcobo, was the Guest of Honour at this year’s World Maritime University graduation ceremony where she encouraged graduates to captain their destiny and take charge of their futures by not simply waiting to be chosen to make a difference.

“The success of any voyage is not defined by the captain alone, but is defined along with the crew members. We are facing global challenges, we are a global industry, we need global collaboration,” she said in her address to the 260 graduates from 70 countries.

In his welcome address, WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr encouraged the students to cherish the education and opportunity that they had been given during their studies.

“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 said.

In his first graduation address as Chancellor of WMU, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), encouraged the graduates 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.

Bashir Hamza, President of the Student Council for the Class of 2024, gave remarks on behalf of the graduating Class. Reflecting on the Class of 2024 experience, he described it as encompassing resilience, ambition, and unity. “Our differences are not barriers, they are strengths. We have been stretched beyond our comfort zone, but have found strength in each other.”

The 2024 graduation ceremony brings the total number of WMU graduates to 6,340 from 170 countries and territories.

Recognising African students

The C P Srivastava Award for International Fellowship, was awarded to Zakaria Isikioune (Algeria).

The Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Dissertation Prize was awarded to Clever Tugume (Uganda).

The Schlüter Foundation Dissertation Prize for an outstanding dissertation in the field of Shipping and Marine Environmental Protection was awarded to Chiedozie Njoku (Nigeria).

For 2024, the Specialization Prizes for the MSc in Maritime Affairs were endowed by the Asia House of Copenhagen and included:

Maritime Law & Policy, Adetayo Yusuf Adesokan (Nigeria)
Port Management, Joel Herald Kossam (Malawi)

Recipients of the Kalmar Prizes, awarded by Kalmar Global to students who are recognized as leaders among their peers, included: Mr Zakaria Isikioune (Algeria),

Chiedozie Enyoka Njoku (Nigeria)
Peter Tamarakro Orubebe (Nigeria)
Faith Nazi Maraga (Kenya)
Carlota Simões Borges (Angola)