Africa-Press – Gambia. It was a hall filled with pride and excitement on Saturday as former students of the World Maritime University (WMU) came together to officially launch the WMU Alumni Gambia Chapter at the African Princess Hotel in Kololi.
The event brought together both long-time and recent graduates of the university, providing an opportunity for members to reconnect and strengthen ties after years of separation.
In her opening remarks, the event chairperson and Secretary to the WMU Alumni Gambia Chapter, Bintou Janneh, welcomed members and highlighted the global reach of the alumni body. She reminded participants that WMU was established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized United Nations agency, and is globally recognized as a center of excellence in maritime and ocean education.
Madam Janneh noted that WMU, headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, now boasts over 6,000 alumni representing 171 countries. She further outlined the institution’s wide-ranging academic programs, which cover areas such as maritime education and training, management, law and policy, safety, and environmental studies.
Bubacarr Ceesay, Vice President of the WMU Alumni Gambia Chapter, described the launch as a landmark achievement in The Gambia’s maritime journey. “This is not only a moment of pride for the alumni, but also for all Gambians who understand the critical role the maritime sector plays in our nation’s growth and development,” he said. He emphasized the importance of reviving river transport along the River Gambia and encouraged members to harness the power of networking for greater industry impact.
The President of WMU, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, delivered a congratulatory message via webinar, commending the Gambian alumni for establishing the chapter and urging them to contribute actively to maritime development.
Other speakers included Omaru Deen, who reflected on the evolution of The Gambia’s maritime sector, Cem Ozturk, Port Director of Alport, and Adama Jatta, who elaborated on alumni activities and opportunities for collaboration.
The launch of the WMU Alumni Gambia Chapter marks the creation of a national platform aimed at fostering maritime excellence, professional collaboration, and innovation within The Gambia and across the wider region.
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