Pres. Boakai Charges RMU Graduates To Uphold Highest Standards Of Professionalism 

By Ibrahim A.Sherif

ACCRA, GHANA, June 30 (LINA) – President Jospeh N. Boakai has encouraged graduates of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and discipline as they walk out of the walls of the institution.

The Liberian leader called on the graduates to make the RMU and Africa proud, as he reminded them of the blessings accompanying them into the maritime world.

Delivering the Keynote address at the 18th Commencement Ceremony of the Regional Maritime University in Accra, Ghana, the Liberian leader told the graduates that the ceremony serves as a unique moment in their lives, representing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, determination, and courage in pursuing their academic success.

"As it is said, “Academic degrees may take you to the top, but only discipline and character can keep you there,” the Liberian President said as he evoked the spirit of discipline into the graduates.

He added that discipline and character entail honesty, integrity, patience, and perseverance and are values that will open doors for the graduates in the world.

President Boakai reminded the graduates of the many challenges they have overcome to earn their place among the graduates of RMU and as such, they should instill discipline into their work to enable them to reap the fruit of their hard work.

He further called on the graduates to make their investments worthwhile with outstanding performance in their careers. 

Pres. Boakai joined the Board of Governors, Faculty, and University Management in commending the parents and sponsors of the graduates for their support throughout the academic journey of their children.

The Liberian leader, on behalf of the Republic of Liberia pledged to construct additional dormitory for students at the RMU.

Meanwhile, Pres. Boakai underscored the importance of maritime education to Liberia as the world’s largest ship registry by gross tonnage.

He reaffirmed his government's commitment to providing support to the Liberia Maritime Training Institute and the RMU, which according to him deliver low and high-end maritime programs, respectively.

The Liberian leader emphasized that supporting the two  key institutions will enable  Liberians and Africans at large to benefit from opportunities provided by the global maritime sector.

"I have instructed the authorities at the Liberia Maritime Training Institute to increase the number of students sent to RMU in the coming years, reflecting Liberia’s maritime legacy and the commitment to maintaining its prominent position in the global maritime industry," President Boakai noted.

The RMU began as the Ghana Maritime Academy in 1958, a small learning institution owned by the Government of Ghana. In 1983, it evolved into the Regional Maritime Academy when four other West African countries joined to share the responsibilities of running the institution.

Decades later, on October 25, 2007, it attained full university status and was launched as the Regional Maritime University by the former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor.