Malmö Class of 2015 Inauguration

The inauguration of the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs, Class of 2015, took place at WMU on 15 September. A total of 105 students are enrolled in the 14-month program, and it is expected that ten additional students will join the Class of 2015 in January for the MSc accelerated program. Overall, the Class of 2015 represents 46 different countries.

The inauguration opened with a recorded welcome message from Acting President, Neil Bellefontaine, who is currently on mission. Acting Vice President Academic, Patrick Donner, successively greeted the students and presented key information about WMU including a basic overview of the 14-months ahead. Registrar, Sue Jackson, addressed the group and impressed upon them their new responsibilities as part of the United Nations family, noting that upon becoming WMU alumni next year, they will join a unique global network of maritime leaders.

Of the incoming class, 31 participated in the three-month English Study Skills Program that concluded last week. Orientation for the new students began on 8 September with a range of activities throughout the week including practical information about life in Sweden as well as a tour of Malmö. At a class picnic over the weekend, the students were divided into teams for a variety of getting-to-know-you activities. The trophy for the team with the highest points was awarded to team Equator at the inauguration ceremony. Team Pirate came in second.

The Class of 2015 will be the first to benefit from the new WMU facilities that will open in central Malmö during the spring of next year.