On July 23, 2025, the Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) and the World Maritime University (WMU) held the 20th graduation ceremony and 20th anniversary celebration of the Joint MSc in Maritime Affairs Specialisation in International Transport & Logistics Class 2025 (referred to WMU-SMU Joint ITL Program) in Shanghai. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from WMU, including President Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., Vice President Daniel Seong-Hyeok Moon, Program Director Professor Chen Gang, Alumni Assistant Charlotte Wara, and other key representatives. During their stay in Shanghai, Chairman of SMU Council Song Baoru met with the delegation. SMU Vice President Yin Ming attended the graduation ceremony on behalf of President Chu Beiping. The ceremony was hosted by the head of the International Office and the International Education College.
Yin Ming extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 33 graduates who received their WMU master's degrees this year, expressing hope that they would continue to learn, maintain competitiveness, embrace innovation, and adapt to the smart, safe, and green development trends of the shipping industry, contributing to its sustainable development. He emphasized that the SMU-WMU joint program is a key pillar of SMU’s international cooperation strategy. Through this collaboration, high-level international shipping talents are cultivated, enriching SMU’s educational offerings to serve the country’s shipping industry and Shanghai as an international shipping hub, while enhancing the school’s ties with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the global maritime industry. SMU will continue to leverage its educational advantages, promote innovation, and strengthen its strategic partnership with WMU.
In his speech, President Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. expressed his gratitude for SMU’s firm commitment to the joint program and the long-term dedication of its faculty and staff, which have ensured the program’s continuous progress and educational quality. He noted that the collaboration between the two universities is of great significance, reflecting their shared commitment to the sustainable development of maritime logistics. Over the past 20 years, the WMU-SMU Joint ITL Program has become a flagship program in international maritime education, maintaining academic excellence and producing a large number of professionals with significant influence in the global maritime sector.
Founded in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Maritime University is a research university that trains senior management talent for national maritime authorities, shipping companies, port and shipping enterprises, and maritime academies. It plays a crucial role in global maritime and ocean education, research, capacity building, and economic development. The WMU-SMU Joint ITL Program is one of WMU’s two international programs, designed to integrate the best educational resources of both universities, providing students with a comprehensive learning experience that combines international perspectives with local practices. The program also offers a professional alumni network and fosters a deep understanding of the capabilities and responsibilities future leaders in the maritime and logistics fields must possess.
During the subsequent 20th Anniversary Celebration and WMU Alumni Event in Shanghai, Vice President Yin Ming expressed his gratitude for the 20 years of cooperation with WMU and the joint efforts to advance high-quality maritime education. He acknowledged the professional knowledge, passion, and exceptional teaching and management contributed by faculty and staff from both universities to the successful operation of the WMU-SMU Joint ITL Program. Special tribute was paid to Professor Ma Shuo and Professor Gao Deyi for their outstanding contributions to the establishment of the program. Yin also congratulated the establishment of the WMU Alumni Association, China Shanghai and expressed hope that with the continued support of WMU alumni, the cooperation between the two universities will achieve greater success in maritime education and research.
In his speech, President Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. pointed out that the founding of the20 years ago showcased the foresight of both universities in maritime education. As the shipping industry undergoes rapid transformation, future goals include achieving zero-carbon shipping, effectively preventing pollution, building resilient supply chains, and ensuring sustainable ocean governance. These ambitious objectives cannot be realized by institutions or systems alone but depend on the industry’s practitioners. With over 6,000 alumni from more than 170 countries and regions, WMU has created a global network committed to safe, reliable, and sustainable maritime transport. He warmly welcomed Shanghai’s alumni to join this network, continue the maritime spirit of the two universities, and contribute their talents and leadership to the development of global shipping.
During the 20th anniversary celebration, Long-serving&Contribution Awards were presented to Ma Shuo, Daniel Seong-Hyeok Moon, Xu Dazhen, Wang Xuefeng, Gu Weihong, Yu Hongrong, and other faculty members from both sides.
On July 23, the two universities also signed a memorandum of cooperation, further expanding their collaboration in the field of international education.
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the WMU-SMU Joint ITL Program, a milestone year for the cooperation between SMU and WMU. Over the past 20 years, the program has produced 613 graduates from 17 countries and regions, including over 40 international students from countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and others. Graduates are widely employed in well-known port and logistics enterprises both domestically and internationally, with many holding senior positions in shipping companies, port management departments, and academia, demonstrating the sustained importance and global impact of this joint educational program.
In the past two decades, the two universities have also expanded their cooperation in global maritime capacity-building projects, participation in IMO affairs, high-level international maritime conferences, and other fields, including the Train-the-Trainer Program co-hosted by WMU, SMU, and the MTCC-Asia, supported by IMO on April 14, 2025.
