His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and President of Sharjah Maritime Academy, attended on Thursday morning the graduation ceremony of the second batch of students from the Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA), totaling 23 male and female graduates. The ceremony took place at the Academy’s theater in the city of Khorfakkan.
In a speech delivered on this occasion, His Highness congratulated the parents and guardians of the graduates, saying: “Your joy today in your sons and daughters is matched by our joy, as we are the ones who have provided your beloved ones with beneficial knowledge. We take pride not only in the graduates but also in the parents who instilled trust in their children. The Academy specialised in maritime transport is unlike any other academy or university. University graduates usually stay confined to desks and offices, but these students have gained their knowledge in the depths of the seas, and in the farthest corners of the world. So how much patience must a mother have, and how much patience must a father have for their sons and daughters?”
His Highness, the President of the Sharjah Maritime Academy, spoke about the tremendous effort exerted by the male and female students during their practical training. His Highness noted that not a single complaint was received from this particular graduating batch while they were out at sea or navigating through maritime straits. He stated: “We were with them through our prayers and persistence, and through the means we requested from those institutions; because we placed them aboard ships among labour, sleepless nights, and dangers—and yet, they lived up to the trust placed in them.”
His Highness emphasised that the successful completion of the practical training by the Academy’s graduating students was the greatest achievement and a personal motivation for him. He expressed his confidence in the ability of his sons and daughters to overcome all challenges and hardships during their demanding training in the distant depths of the seas, thanks to the high-quality programs offered by the Academy. He said: “Many people fear even the sound of waves, let alone these young blossoms who bravely endured the sea. Our hearts are with them, our sons and daughters, in every training session. These graduates have been granted useful work and self-confidence, both from the professors and the administration of the Academy, and have now reached this remarkable level. Congratulations to you, to us, to your sons and daughters, and to our Academy which is now reaching the highest international standards.”
His Highness also highlighted the exceptional competence of the Academy’s graduates, noting that leading maritime companies now take pride in employing them. His Highness stated:“This achievement does not come with a stroke of my pen or with money we spend, but from the foundation laid by each individual—from the mother, the father, and the teachers. Everyone has worked hard and contributed. Now, postgraduate programs including Master’s and PhD degrees will be added to the Academy.”
His Highness expressed pride in the Academy’s openness to international academic cooperation, noting that its certificates are accredited by no fewer than ten global institutions. As a result, many countries have requested to send their students to train at the Academy.
“The doors are open to everyone—whether from the East, the West, or Africa,” he said, adding that this international recognition enhances the reputation of the Eastern Region cities: Khorfakkan, Kalba, and Dibba Al Hisn. He also noted that the Academy had previously been celebrated at the Seas Conference in the Republic of France, where there was common interest in collaboration and learning.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah concluded his speech by highlighting the significant development across all sectors in the Emirate of Sharjah, emphasizing its deep connection with science and knowledge throughout all regions. He noted that this progress is clearly reflected in both scientific and practical output, as well as in meaningful contributions to community life. His Highness stressed: “This advancement in standards is one of life’s greatest achievements.”