The World Maritime University 2020 graduation ceremony of the MSc Programme in International Transport and Logistics (ITL) in cooperation with Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) took place on 22 August. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was held remotely using video conferencing technology.
A total of 28 ITL 2020 students graduated with the WMU MSc Degree in Maritime Affairs. Twenty-four of the graduating Class are from China and one student each from the following countries: Malaysia, Netherlands, South Korea and the United States of America.
Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, Professor Shuo Ma, Vice President (International) of WMU, Dr. Lu Jing, President of the SMU, Professor Shi Xin, Vice President of SMU and Ms Yu Hongrong, Director of International Cooperation Office of SMU attended the ceremony.
In addressing the graduates, President Doumbia-Henry stated: “This global pandemic has disrupted your plans, but not your dreams. You have responded with grace, grit and resiliency. I could not be prouder of your ability to adapt and innovate in the face of every challenge that comes your way, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
But you are not alone as the pandemic is impacting the entire world, including all universities worldwide. We have all had to adapt to the current new normal and innovate in our teaching modus which has enabled you to complete the programme and be able to come together for our virtual conferment of your degree.”
President Doumbia-Henry conferred the degrees on each graduating student. When the names of the graduates were announced, individual pages were shown with a picture and the name of each graduate. This was followed by a final speech delivered on behalf of the 2020 Class by Mr Peng Guozhen. The ceremony ended with the songs of WMU and SMU.
Mr Liu Chen received the Chancellor’s Medal for Academic Excellence. Mr Huang Junjie, Mr Zhao Runzhe, Mr Hu Yongxin and Mr Liu Chen received SMU’s Best Research Paper Prize. Mr Liu Chen also received a prize offered by a local container leasing company.
The ITL programme commenced in 2005 and is offered in cooperation with Shanghai Maritime University. To date, 479 graduates have completed the ITL programme.
Press release
