From October 19 to October 21, 2022, Batumi State Maritime Academy (BSMA) (Batumi, Georgia) hosted the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) Annual General Assembly (AGA22) and IAMU Conference (IAMUC22). The National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” was presented at IAMU AGA22 and IAMUC22 by the rector Prof. Mykhaylo Miyusov and senior lecturer of Shiphandling Chair Capt. Dmytro Zhukov.

The IAMU AGA22 was opened by welcome speech of BSMA’s rector Capt. Murtaz Devadze. IAMU Chairman Glen Blackwood in his speech spoke about the main goals of IAMU AGA22 and IAMUC22 and expressed his support for Ukraine and Ukrainian maritime educational institutions.

Also, the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Tornike Rijvadze, Executive Director of the IAMU Dr. Takeshi Nakazawa and Director of Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Tamara Ioseliani took part in the opening ceremony and delivered welcoming addresses. IMO Secretary-General Kitak Lim and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation Yohei Sasakawa delivered welcome speeches online.

The IAMU Presidents’ Forum took place after the opening ceremony of IAMU AGA22. The topic of the Forum was “Global Maritime Professional: implementation and challenges”. The rector of the National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” Prof. Mykhaylo Miyusov in his speech thanked the members of the association and the International Executive Board for supporting Ukrainian maritime educational institutions and our country as a whole in the context of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Forum participants unanimously supported Ukraine standing and with long applause. It should be noted that the participation of russian universities and academies was canceled, and their membership in the association was suspended.

In the first day of the IAMU AGA22 Memorandum of understanding between Batumi State Maritime Academy and National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” was signed.

The motto of IAMUC 22 was “Best Practice: MET and Research for Sustainable Development”. There were about one hundred participants in IAMUC 22 events. During IAMUC22 NU “OMA” Rector Prof. Mykhaylo Miysov presented joint article with Capt. Dmytro Zhukov “MET in Ukraine in time and after of Russian invasion”. 

All expenses for participation in IAMU AGA22 and IAMUC22 of delegates of Ukrainian educational institutions were covered by special support program by IAMU IEB. We would like to once again thank IAMU for support and our participation in IAMU AGA22 and IAMUC22.