On 14 December, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of the World Maritime University (WMU) and Michael Palmgren, Director and founder of the Marint Kunskapscenter (Maritime Knowledge Center) signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The purpose of the agreement is to continue cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the field of maritime and ocean education and research.
Under the agreement, the parties aim to promote academic and educational exchanges as well as encourage and develop academic collaborative and reciprocal activities. Possibilities include the exchange of academic information and materials in the field of marine affairs in general and marine environmental education in particular, development and continuation of productive relationships and educational and research cooperation, exchange between interested members of both institutions and building maritime and ocean cooperation through seminars, workshops and forums.
Mr Palmgren said, "We are deeply proud that we, as a small institution, for the third time could sign this common agreement with WMU to strengthen our collaboration for five more years to come. We welcome all international students who come to WMU and Malmö, to an educational journey where together we can strengthen our ties and raise awareness of Ocean Literacy and the importance of the ocean for all of us living on this planet.”
Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., WMU President said, “We are fortunate to have such a valuable partner in close proximity to the University to expand the knowledge of our students regarding sea life and ocean issues in the Öresund region - knowledge that is informative and adaptable for addressing ocean issues when they return to their respective countries. The partnership also supports our mutual commitments to achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Goal 14 in particular focused on Life Below Water.”
WMU has a long-standing relationship with the Marint Kunskapscenter which is located in Malmö just a short distance from the University. Annual field study visits to the Center provide the opportunity for WMU students to view life below the surface in the Öresund Strait through interactive exhibits and aquariums as well as direct exploration of the region’s sea life through netting and stereo magnifiers. There have also been several occasions when the Center and WMU have partnered on coastline cleanup activities.
