World Maritime University celebrates Class of 2025

The World Maritime University (WMU) celebrated its graduating Class of 2025 on 1 November in Malmö, Sweden, honouring a new generation of future maritime and ocean leaders. This cohort brings the WMU alumni community to over 6,600 graduates across 171 countries, with more than 75% advancing to senior roles within a year of graduation.

WMU graduates join a global network of maritime professionals who will continue to support each other and collaborate throughout their careers.

Addressing the graduates, IMO Secretary-General and WMU Chancellor Arsenio Dominguez congratulated the Class of 2025, wishing them success and fulfilment in their professional journeys. He expressed gratitude to the City of Malmö and the Government of Sweden for their continued support in hosting WMU since its establishment in 1983, as well as to the many donors who make the University's mission possible.

"As global citizens educated in this unique environment, your influence will reach far further than you might imagine," he said. "WMU graduates see life through a distinctive lens, one that recognizes that an international community can be vibrant, constructive, and happy. Your lives after WMU will be a testament to this."

He encouraged the graduates to embrace WMU's strong global network and to transform today's challenges into opportunities through collaboration and proactive engagement. "The maritime world is deeply interconnected," he noted, "and you are now an integral part of it, for life."

The ceremony's central message to the graduates was clear: lead with purpose and contribute to a sustainable, inclusive and harmonious future for the maritime and ocean sectors.

Celebrating 125 graduates from 53 nations, the ceremony was opened by WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. Other speakers included Carina Nilsson, Mayor and Chairperson of the Malmö City Council, and Sofiana Kontouri, President of the Student Council for the Class of 2025, who reflected on the cohort's shared journey and commitment to shaping a better maritime future. Mamadou Bajou (Gambia) was awarded the Secretary-General's Prize for best dissertation.

For the first time in WMU's history, the Class of 2026 will have an equal number of male and female students.

To read more, visit WMU website.