Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience |  University of Cape Coast

Ten postgraduate students (7 Masters and 3 PhD) from the University of Cape Coast (UCC)  have successfully completed a month-long Erasmus+ mobility programme at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, gaining valuable academic, professional and intercultural experiences. This student mobility was funded by the Erasmus+  programme through the World Maritime University in collaboration with the Centre for Coastal Management – Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (CCM-ACECoR), UCC. 

The exchange programme, held from 11 April to 9 May 2026, brought together students from the Departments of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Department of Applied Economics, and Department of Environmental Sciences. The initiative forms part of the growing collaboration between CCM-ACECoR and WMU aimed at strengthening capacity in ocean governance, environmental sustainability, and maritime studies.
During the programme, the students undertook specialised courses in global ocean governance, multilateral diplomacy, maritime environmental regulation, and sustainability.

Through lectures, workshops, case studies, and simulation exercises, they gained a deeper understanding of key international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. A key feature of the programme was participation in mock international negotiations modelled on Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, where students represented countries and stakeholder groups, negotiated policy positions, and worked towards consensus, strengthening their diplomacy, leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

Environmental Science students further received advanced training in maritime environmental governance, covering topics such as pollution control, shipping decarbonisation, ballast water management, and international environmental compliance.

Guest lectures from experts from organisations including the United States Coast Guard and the United States Department of Justice provided practical insights into environmental regulation and enforcement. Beyond academics, the students immersed themselves in Swedish culture through traditional Fika sessions, participation in Valborg spring celebrations, exploration of Malmö’s coastal environment, and interactions with students and professionals from around the world. Students also learned about Malmö's transformation from an industrial city into a global model for sustainable urban development and gained exposure to innovative environmental initiatives, including waste-to-energy systems and air-quality monitoring programmes.

Reflecting on the programme, participants described the experience as transformative, noting that it broadened their perspectives on global maritime and environmental challenges while strengthening their commitment to sustainable ocean and coastal resource management.

The programme continues to demonstrate the value of international academic partnerships in equipping future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and global networks needed to address complex environmental and maritime challenges.
The students expressed appreciation to the programme coordinators, faculty members, student mentors, and administrative staff whose support contributed to the success of this exchange programme.