On the morning of April 21st, the honorary doctorate awarding ceremony for Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos was held in International Conference Room of DMU. Presented in the ceremony were Mr. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Sekimizu, Director of Maritime Safety Division of IMO, Prof. Laubstein, President of World Maritime University, Mr. Weng Mengyong, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Communications (MOC), Mr. Li Jun, Vice-Director of Degree-awarding Committee of State Council, Mr. Liu Gongchen, Executive Director-General of Maritime Safety Administration, MOC, and other leaders from MOC, Liaoning Provincial Government, Dalian Municipal Government and DMU. The ceremony was presided by Prof. Wang Zhaohe, General Secretary DMU Party Committee.

Prof. Wang Zhaohe introduced the biography of Mr. Mitropoulos. Prof. Wang Zuwen announced the decision of DMU’s conferring Honorary Doctorate on Mr. Mitropoulos, awarded Mr. Mitropoulos the certificate and bore him DMU badge.

Vice-Minister Weng Mengyong delivered a speech. On behalf of MOC, and also in his own name, Vice-Minister Weng Mengyong expressed his congratulations to Mr. Mitropoulos. He said Mr. Mitropoulos has been devoting himself to promote maritime safety and environment protection. Vice-Minister Weng Mengyong also expressed his respect for Mr. Mitropoulos’ effort and contribution in the industry. He also stressed that even since its establishment, DMU has been devoting to maritime talents education and academic research, and has made great contribution to China’s shipping industry. The confer of Honorary Doctorate on Mr. Mitropoulos will promote the cooperation and communication between DMU and international shipping academic field, speed up DMU’s academic innovation and progress, and provide talent support to the development of China’s and regional shipping industry.

　　Mr. Mitropoulos delivered a speech to express his gratitude. He said that he received the Honorary Doctorate at the key moment in China’s shipping industry. DMU has a long history in educating excellent maritime talents, and it has become a world first-rate maritime education center. He is proud to received the certificate.
　　Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos was elected Secretary-General of the Organization by the ninetieth session of the IMO Council on 18 June 2003. In June 2004, Mr. Mitropoulos was appointed Chancellor of the World Maritime University (Malmo,