IMLI holds its 30th Annual Graduation Ceremony
The IMO International Maritime Law Institute held its 30th annual graduation ceremony on 15 June at the Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa.
The ceremony marks the successful completion of an intensive year of studies in all the areas of international maritime law including the law of the sea, shipping law, marine environmental law, maritime safety and security law and maritime legislation drafting and a number of workshops and seminars.
The ceremony was presided over by Kitack Lim (secretary-general, IMO).
The occasion was graced by Dr George Vella (President of Malta) and other dignitaries including Carmelo Abela (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Malta), Joe Mizzi (Minister for Energy and Water Management, Malta), Ugo Mifsud Bonnici (President Emeritus, Malta), Juvenal J. Shiundu (acting director, Technical Cooperation Division of the IMO), Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (president of the World Maritime University), Professor Richard Clegg (chief executive, Lloyd’s Register Foundation), Christopher Davis (president of the CMI), Gabino Gonzalez (head of Office, REMPEC), Dr Reto Duerler (head, Swiss Maritime Navigation Office and Member of IMLI Govenrning Board), Katie Higginbottom (head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust), Christopher Cutajar (permanent secretary, Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects), Mark Bruno Olivier (executive secretary of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport), Dr George Theocharidis (associate professor of Maritime Law & Policy, WMU), members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and the families and friends of the graduands.
During the graduation ceremony, 48 students from 36 countries graduated from the Institute’s programmes. Thirty-nine students were awarded the Degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Maritime Law, one student was awarded the Diploma in International Maritime Law and seven students were awarded the Degree of Master of Humanities (M.Hum.) in International Maritime Legislation. One student was awarded the Degree of Magister Juris (M.Jur.) in International Maritime Law in absentia.
In his address, Professor David Attard (director, IMLI) welcomed the dignitaries to the graduation ceremony and invited Mr Lim (secretary-general, IMO) to deliver the graduation address. The Valedictory Speech was delivered by Barbara Janka Ujlaki (Luxembourg), on behalf of the IMLI Class of 2018-2019.