The IOI and the University of Malta (UM) have formally extended their long-standing agreement, further solidifying their partnership to offer the IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic, and Caspian Seas. The Addendum was signed in an official ceremony on October 29th, in the presence of distinguished representatives from both institutions. The training programme is organised on behalf of the partnership by the IOI Malta Training Centre Director, Prof Alan Deidun, also a member of staff of the University of Malta.
Rector Alfred Vella, representing the University of Malta, signed the Addendum with Antonella Vassallo (Managing Director, IOI); Dr Awni Behnam, (Honorary President, IOI, and Course Academic Director), Professor Alan Deidun (Director of the IOI Malta Training Centre) and Mr Cosmin Chivu (Project Officer, IOI) represented the considerable support and expertise of both organisations, essential to the success of the programme over the years since its launch in 2005.
The signing marks the formal extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOI and the University of Malta, ensuring the continuation of their collaborative efforts to offer this flagship regional ocean governance programme. This year’s edition, the 19th of its kind, is scheduled to take place in November under the direction of Dr Behnam and Prof Deidun.
The ceremony highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to fostering capacity-building in ocean governance across key regions, particularly the semi enclosed seas of Mediterranean, Black, Baltic, and Caspian regions. Speaking after the event, Dr Behnam and Rector Vella reiterated the importance of the programme’s role in the respective institutions’ global and regional outreach.
With the Addendum in place, both parties look forward to continuing their impactful work together, empowering a new generation of ocean leaders and experts for the region.