Four Maltese among 30 IMLI graduands

A group of 30 students from 28 countries, including four from Malta, graduated from the International Maritime Law Institute yesterday at a ceremony where the growing international role of the institute was underlined.

Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said Malta was committed to continue hosting the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) of the International Maritime Institute for many years to come.

He said the government was also exploring new ideas to ensure that the maritime sector developed further in Malta and for Malta to remain at the forefront of the global maritime sector.

"It is the government's policy to achieve growth through quality and we are therefore equally committed to ensure the further development of what is already a sophisticated legal regime."

He added however, that while legislation had to be in line with international conventions and practices, the authorities and the industry needed to be involved together in a more pro-active way in the development of local and international legislation.

Mr Galea made his remarks before presenting the Malta Government Prize for Best Performance in Law of the Sea to Dr Tiziana Filletti, one of the four Maltese who graduated Master of Laws in International Maritime Law yesterday, underlined the need the maritime industry had for education and training at all levels.

It was for this reason that the Malta Maritime Authority and MCAST had set up the Maritime Institute, he said.

Professor David Attard, director of the IMLI, in his welcoming address, spoke on how the long history of international maritime law demonstrated a continuous search for stability and security in the rules that regulate the destiny of those at sea.

The institute, he said, played a small but vital contribution in the international maritime sector by providing governments with qualified international maritime lawyers who were able to advise on the progressive development and codification of international maritime law.

Professor Attard observed that this graduation ceremony marked the end of the 15th annual academic course. In all, the institute had trained 304 lawyers from 98 countries, including, this year for the first time, lawyers from Guyana, Japan and the Ukraine.

He said that in the light of IMLI's catalytic role, it had established an international award for meritorious contribution towards the progressive development and codification of international maritime law. The award would be given to eminent personalities who contributed towards the development of international maritime law and codification.

He said that the institute had complemented its LL.M. degree with a Ph.D. programme, which was attracting an impressive list of research students.

Professor Attard said IMLI had been providing EU-financed training to lawyers from accession countries for a number of years and discussions were under way to provide training of lawyers from the new EU member states.

This year's graduation ceremony was attended, for the last time in his official capacity, by William O'Neil, who has been present for all the 15 graduation ceremonies held so far in his capacity as secretary-general of IMO and chairman of the IMLI governing board.

Mr O'Neil served in his IMO post until last December, when he was succeeded by Mr E.E. Mitropoulos, who next month will take over from him as chairman of the IMLI board.

In his address Mr O'Neil dwelt on the expansion of the IMO's and IMLI's roles, underlining the success of the Master's course held in Malta. For next year's intake of 30 students, there were 55 applications, he said.

He also expressed appreciation for the support of the Nippon Foundation, which has offered 10 scholarships for the 2004 intake and has promised other support. IMO itself provided eight scholarships this year.

Mr O'Neil described his involvement with IMLI from its very foundation as "an extremely rewarding experience" and thanked the Malta government for its unstinting support for IMLI over the years. He also expressed gratitude to Professor Attard and his team.

Mr O'Neil was later presented with a special award for his meritorious contribution to international maritime law by Professor Attard. The citation was read by Dr Ivan Vella, a lecturer at IMLI.

The award-giving ceremony, which was compered by Aref Fakhry, a lecturer at IMLI, included a valedictory address by Attorney Gilberto G.B. Asuque of the Philippines, on behalf of this year's graduates, and the presentation of special prizes.

The IMO Secretary-General's Prize for Best Dissertation, presented by Mr Mitropoulos, was awarded to Majdi Abdullah Khalid Al-Qahtani, of Saudi Arabia.

The Malta Maritime Authority Prize for Best Performance in Shipping Law, presented by MMA chairman Dr Marc Bonello, was awarded to Dr Maria Depasquale.

The Professor Walter Müller Prize for best Maritime Legislation Drafting Project, presented by Dr Jean Hulliger, a member of the IMLI board of governors, was awarded to Dr Suzanne Shaw.

The REMPEC Marine Environmental Law Prize, presented by REMPEC's director, Rear Admiral Roberto Patrunno, went to Ms Guanyu Li, from China, and the Sasakawa Prize for the Best Performing Nippon Foundation Scholar, presented by Mr Masamichi Hasebe, was awarded to Marija Pospisil from Croatia.

The four Maltese graduates are Dr Gordon Cutajar, who is Assistant Registrar of Ships at the Malta Maritime Authority, and Dr Depasquale, Dr Filletti and Dr Shaw. The last three graduated with Distinction.