MoU signed between WMU and the Chilean Maritime Authority
President of WMU, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, visited Chile from 28-31 August to join the celebrations marking the 170thanniversary of the Directorate General of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (DIRECTEMAR), the Chilean Maritime Authority. International guests included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure of Germany, and from the Argentine Coast Guard.
On 30 August, President Doumbia-Henry and the Director General of DIRECTEMAR; Vice Admiral Guillermo Lüttges, signed a five-year, renewable memorandum of understanding (MoU) setting out the areas of cooperation between WMU and the Chilean Maritime Authority. It aims to strengthen their cooperation in the field of maritime education, research, training and capacity building for the benefit of the maritime community.
The MoU recognizes the mutual interests of the parties in the field of maritime and related oceans education and research. It aims to promote academic and educational exchanges including those of academic staff, trainers and students, as well as collaborative training courses and workshops in areas of common interest. Arrangements relating to fellowship funding for the WMU MSc programme are included. Cooperation also includes the exchange of academic information, publications and materials in areas of mutual interest, further contributing to WMU’s role as leading postgraduate maritime institution.
Vice Admiral Guillermo Lüttges stressed the importance of signing this Memorandum of Understanding, since "It allows us to interact with a University of recognized International prestige that is under the umbrella of the International Maritime Organization. This MOU is further evidence of the strong professional and friendship ties with the World Maritime University that allow us to focus on our premise of cleaner seas, safer seas and better known seas".
President Doumbia-Henry, congratulated DIRECTEMAR on this milestone anniversary and the important role that it has played in building the maritime capability and the standing of Chile in the world. On signing the MOU with Vice-Admiral Guillermo Lüttges she stated: “The signing of this MOU between our two institutions is testimony to the close cooperation that has been built over the years and which will serve to further strengthen our relationship in supporting maritime and ocean excellence, capacity and governance.” She also thanked DIRECTEMAR for hosting the field visits for WMU students over the years, a contribution that not only supports the mandate of WMU but also provides WMU students with unforgettable experience and insights.
The signing of the MOU was followed by a military ceremony and a meeting with 15 of the 33 Chilean Navy Officers who graduated in WMU classes from 1986 to 2017. They were able to share views and experiences on their work in the Chilean Maritime Authority.
