The Secretary-General of IMO, Kitack Lim, has inaugurated the newly modernized lecture hall and refurbished student accommodation at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta (9 October). Mr Lim, who is Chair of the IMLI Governing Board, also formally opened the Institute’s academic year 2023-2024 during his visit.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in the state-of-the-art lecture hall, Mr Lim welcomed IMLI’s 35th generation of maritime professionals and wished them success in their academic journey. He highlighted that many successful IMLI graduates go on to hold high-level positions in government and the private sector.
Mr Lim thanked the Government of Malta for its continued funding and support for IMLI, and the Government of the Republic of Korea which financed the IMLI refurbishment work through the IMO Voyage Together Trust Fund:
“I am sure that a better study environment, along with enhanced living premises, will greatly improve the students’ quality of life during their studies at IMLI,” he said.
Mr Lim and the Honourable Minister Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Malta’s Minister for Public Works and Planning, unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the improved student accommodation. Mr Lim and Dr Zrinzo Azzoprsdi joined Professor Dr Norman Martínez Gutiérrez, the new Director of IMLI, in marking the opening of the lecture hall with the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon.
IMLI was established in 1988 by agreement between IMO and the Government of Malta to train officers, principally from developing countries, in international maritime law. The 2023-2024 intake of students includes 64 who are beginning the Masters Degree programme and seven who are enrolled in the Advanced Diploma programme.
Read the Secretary-General's speech here.