On the morning of July 24, the graduation and degree conferral ceremony for the 21st cohort of the MSc in Maritime Affairs—Maritime Safety and Environmental Management (MSEM), offered by Dalian Maritime University (DMU) in collaboration with the World Maritime University (WMU), was held at the International Maritime College of DMU. The ceremony was attended by Maximo Mejia, President of WMU; Michael Ekow Manuel, Vice President of WMU; Shan Hongjun, President of DMU; Zhu Kexin, Director of the Personnel and Education Division of China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA); faculty representatives of the Program; representatives from some direct-affiliated Maritime Safety Administrations; the 21st cohort graduates and their families; and the 22nd cohort current students. They jointly witnessed the successful completion of studies by 46 graduates, who were awarded the Master of Science degree from WMU. The ceremony was presided over by Liu Shaoman, Executive Dean of the International Maritime College.

In his address, Shan Hongjun offered congratulations to all students of the 21st cohort on the successful completion of their studies. He stressed that over the past 21 years, DMU and WMU have continuously deepened pragmatic cooperation and shared high-quality resources in the MSEM Program and the cultivation of high-level maritime talents, nurturing a group of maritime professionals with solid expertise and global vision for the high-quality development of maritime undertakings. He pointed out that the intelligent and green transformation as well as structural shifts of the global shipping industry are profoundly reshaping the demand structure and competency framework of maritime talents. He expressed the hope that the graduates would take the initiative to adapt to the new trends of global shipping development, embrace opportunities and tackle challenges with more solid professional capabilities and a broader perspective, actively participate in global maritime governance, and deliver a steady stream of impetus for innovation and reform to drive the outstanding progress of maritime undertakings.

Maximo Mejia, on behalf of WMU, extended his sincere congratulations to all graduates. He expressed gratitude to Dalian Maritime University for its long-term in-depth cooperation, the upgrading of program teaching facilities, and its full commitment to ensuring the quality of the program, and also thanked the China MSA for its sustained support over the years. He encouraged the graduates to uphold professional ethics, actively engage in the zero-carbon transition of shipping, marine pollution prevention, and sustainable global maritime governance, and to move forward with courage, applying their professional competence to protect the oceans and strengthen their dedication to the maritime industry while calmly addressing the challenges of sectoral development.

Zhu Kexin, on behalf of the China MSA, congratulated all students on the completion of their studies. She pointed out that the joint program serves as an important vehicle for cultivating internationally leading maritime talents, providing a strong pool of high-caliber professionals for the maritime administration system and related shipping sectors, which is of great significance for promoting the high-quality development of the shipping industry. She encouraged all students, especially those from the maritime administration system, to devote themselves to building a modern maritime supervision, service, and support system with a solid and diligent work ethic, actively participate in maritime convention implementation and international cooperation with an open and inclusive mindset, and contribute to the building of a strong maritime nation with the spirit of daring to pioneer.

President Maximo Mejia read out the authorization statement of degree and conferred the Master of Science degrees from WMU to the graduates one by one, while President Shan Hongjun presented the academic souvenirs of DMU.

During the ceremony, leaders from both universities and Director Zhu Kexin jointly presented the annual honorary awards: the Best Student Award, the Outstanding Thesis Award, the MSEM Spirit Award, and the Outstanding Student Cadre Award. These accolades not only recognized the graduates’ unremitting dedication and academic excellence during their studies but also encouraged them to ride the waves and reach new heights in their future professional voyages.

On behalf of the graduates, student representatives presented gifts to both universities. Representatives of the 21st and 22nd MSEM cohorts then conducted the handover of the World Maritime University flag and delivered speeches in turn.

Toward the close of the ceremony, students of the Class of 2026 staged self-directed cultural performances. All attendees joined in singing the anthems of both universities—their voices echoing a shared commitment to safeguarding the oceans and serving the shipping industry. This ceremony not only marked the successful conclusion of the 21st MSEM cohort but also embodied the unwavering pursuit of both institutions in cultivating global maritime talent, continuously empowering and enhancing the high-quality development of the world maritime sector.