The 22nd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU)

Video Message

Mr. Murtaz Devadze, Rector of Batumi State Maritime Academy, Mr. Glenn Blackwood, Chair of IAMU, IEB members, Professor Dr. Takeshi Nakazawa, Executive Director of IAMU, members of the secretariat, and participants from 69 member universities and institutions in 36 countries. 

First of all, it gives me great pleasure that the Annual General Assembly is held again this year under the able leadership of Rector Devadze. I would like to express my sincere respect and appreciation to all who are devoting your daily efforts in the education and training of outstanding maritime professionals and conducting research on maritime safety management.

From Georgia, this year’s host country, there have been to date, fifteen excellent Sasakawa Fellows who have graduated from the World Maritime University and other institutions. Today, they are making important contributions in their respective maritime fields. I still remember, as if it were yesterday, the warm welcome I received from them when I visited Georgia 4 years ago.

As you know, the maritime community is currently facing a major transformation. For example, even in the overseas ocean shipping industry we see future-oriented changes starting to take place. These can be seen in new technologies that are beginning to be developed such as the maritime autonomous surface ships or MASS. Similarly, with the rise of new technologies, the demands for qualities and roles of maritime professionals are changing. Therefore, maritime education and training must respond flexibly and effectively to meet the needs of the changing shipping industry. Against this backdrop, I am pleased that this year the scholarship program for undergraduate students and faculty has been launched in full. This will be a part of creating a favorable environment to foster human resource development aiming to the embodiment of the principles of the Global Maritime Professional Initiative.

I firmly believe that the IAMU and its global network of maritime universities is vital in promoting such global-scale activities. I hope that you will leverage this vast network and strengthen the capacity of the member universities to deliver their message to the international maritime community, and therein to continue to strive towards developing new concepts and frameworks Thank you very much.

*This video message is available at The Nippon Foundation YouTube.