WMU Graduation
WMU Graduation Ceremony 2022
On October 31, 2022, a "normal" WMU Graduation Ceremony was held at the Malmö Live Clarion Conference Centre. The Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat attended for the first time in three years - since 2019! We didn’t know what to expect, but we spent the past three years hearing much about the elaborate preparations and scale of the event. Anticipations were high.
The day began with a (now-traditional) procession from the WMU building to the ceremonial venue. Many graduates donned traditional cultural wear from their countries underneath graduation gowns. The contrast of the bright colors and sleek black made up for the cloudy weather Mother Nature decided to bestow that day. (Perhaps this was because the gorgeous weather was used up the previous day for the WMU Sasakawa Fellows Awards Ceremony.) The energetic march made an impression on all passersby; it was obvious that today was a special day.
2022 saw 276 graduates from 70 countries, 94 of whom were women. A total of 194 graduates received master's degrees: 131 from the MSc program in Malmö and 63 from the universities in China. The ceremony commenced with President Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry at the podium, who expressed her delight in holding the first "normal" ceremony in three years. With the unwavering passion she is known for, President Doumbia-Henry encouraged the graduates and spoke of how the WMU alumni network will be especially important for their futures.
Several esteemed guests made an appearance including Mr. Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, President and CEO of Grimaldi Euromed, and Ms. Carina Nilsson, Mayor and President of the Malmö City Council.
Mr. Lim, a WMU alumnus, thanked the City of Malmö, the Swedish government, and the many donors for their continued support. He emphasized that WMU's commitment to a balanced and holistic approach to interdisciplinary research on maritime affairs has greatly enhanced the capabilities of each and every WMU graduate. He expressed his high expectations for their future success.
Mr. Kwadwo Forson-Adabo (Ghana), Student Council President and a WMU Sasakawa Fellow, gave a speech on behalf of the graduating class. He talked of the strong bonds they have formed in their time together, stating, “Despite our diverse cultures and backgrounds during our studies, we lived as a family and shared knowledge and experiences together.”
We were proud to see several Fellows being recognized for their superb academic performance during the annual student prizes. Saeid Hassankhani Dolatabadi (Iran) received the Schlüter Foundation Dissertation Prize for the best dissertation in the field of shipping and marine environmental protection. Additionally, a new category of awards was established this year for the best graduate from each of the seven specializations, one of which went to Debora Cristina Ferrari Ramalho (Brazil) for the best student of OSGM.
2022 was also the year of superior leadership among WMU Sasakawa Fellows. Kalmar Prizes, awarded to students recognized for their leadership, were given to four Fellows: Darshana Sampath Kumara (Sri Lanka), Latifa Oumouzoune (Morocco), Kwadwo Forson-Adaboh, and Saeid Hassankhani Dolatabadi.
In the reception that followed, we raced to capture pictures of Fellows rejoicing this milestone with loved ones. We were especially overjoyed and honored to meet their families who flew in for the graduation. Try as we might, however, photos cannot do justice to the beautiful and emotional scenes of celebration. Words do not do justice either, but here it is - our best attempt to leave in records that on October 31, 2022, 31 WMU Sasakawa Fellows did, indeed, achieve a great thing.
Friends of WMU, Secretariat
The day began with a (now-traditional) procession from the WMU building to the ceremonial venue. Many graduates donned traditional cultural wear from their countries underneath graduation gowns. The contrast of the bright colors and sleek black made up for the cloudy weather Mother Nature decided to bestow that day. (Perhaps this was because the gorgeous weather was used up the previous day for the WMU Sasakawa Fellows Awards Ceremony.) The energetic march made an impression on all passersby; it was obvious that today was a special day.
2022 saw 276 graduates from 70 countries, 94 of whom were women. A total of 194 graduates received master's degrees: 131 from the MSc program in Malmö and 63 from the universities in China. The ceremony commenced with President Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry at the podium, who expressed her delight in holding the first "normal" ceremony in three years. With the unwavering passion she is known for, President Doumbia-Henry encouraged the graduates and spoke of how the WMU alumni network will be especially important for their futures.
Several esteemed guests made an appearance including Mr. Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, President and CEO of Grimaldi Euromed, and Ms. Carina Nilsson, Mayor and President of the Malmö City Council.
Mr. Lim, a WMU alumnus, thanked the City of Malmö, the Swedish government, and the many donors for their continued support. He emphasized that WMU's commitment to a balanced and holistic approach to interdisciplinary research on maritime affairs has greatly enhanced the capabilities of each and every WMU graduate. He expressed his high expectations for their future success.
Mr. Kwadwo Forson-Adabo (Ghana), Student Council President and a WMU Sasakawa Fellow, gave a speech on behalf of the graduating class. He talked of the strong bonds they have formed in their time together, stating, “Despite our diverse cultures and backgrounds during our studies, we lived as a family and shared knowledge and experiences together.”
We were proud to see several Fellows being recognized for their superb academic performance during the annual student prizes. Saeid Hassankhani Dolatabadi (Iran) received the Schlüter Foundation Dissertation Prize for the best dissertation in the field of shipping and marine environmental protection. Additionally, a new category of awards was established this year for the best graduate from each of the seven specializations, one of which went to Debora Cristina Ferrari Ramalho (Brazil) for the best student of OSGM.
2022 was also the year of superior leadership among WMU Sasakawa Fellows. Kalmar Prizes, awarded to students recognized for their leadership, were given to four Fellows: Darshana Sampath Kumara (Sri Lanka), Latifa Oumouzoune (Morocco), Kwadwo Forson-Adaboh, and Saeid Hassankhani Dolatabadi.
In the reception that followed, we raced to capture pictures of Fellows rejoicing this milestone with loved ones. We were especially overjoyed and honored to meet their families who flew in for the graduation. Try as we might, however, photos cannot do justice to the beautiful and emotional scenes of celebration. Words do not do justice either, but here it is - our best attempt to leave in records that on October 31, 2022, 31 WMU Sasakawa Fellows did, indeed, achieve a great thing.
Friends of WMU, Secretariat
