Students from the University of Westminster’s Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development (VIPs) module visited the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London to explore how the United Nations (UN) agency works to promote safe, secure and sustainable international shipping and protect the marine environment.
Organised by Norah Soufraji with support from Dr Stuart Peck from the University’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI), the visit offered students a unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and gain first-hand insight into the work of an international organisation.
During the visit, students toured the IMO headquarters and observed a live meeting discussing the London Protocol, an international agreement designed to prevent marine pollution caused by the dumping of waste and other matter at sea. Watching international discussions unfold provided a valuable insight into how countries work together, negotiate shared priorities and develop agreements to address global environmental challenges.
The visit forms part of the University’s VIPs programme, which brings together students from different disciplines and year groups to collaborate on real-world challenges linked to sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through interdisciplinary teamwork, practical activities and engagement with external organisations, students are encouraged to exchange perspectives, develop new skills and explore complex global issues beyond the boundaries of their individual degree subjects.
Maisha Delwar, a final year Public Health BSc Honours student taking part in the VIPs module, said: “It was an informative trip, right in the heart of London, with the exciting opportunity to attend a high-level UN agency discussion.”
She added: “So far, being part of the VIP module has been different and innovative. From trips and book clubs to a sustainability board game, learning through the VIPs is diverse and always engaging!”
Norah Soufraji, Academic Professional Development Coordinator at CETI and Lecturer on the module, said: “It’s important for students to have opportunities to see this work happening first-hand. Visiting the IMO and observing a live meeting helped connect what we discuss through the VIPs module with the work being done internationally to protect the marine environment. These experiences can also help students discover interests and career paths they might not have considered before.”
Dr Peck, Senior Lecturer at CETI, said: “The visit to the International Maritime Organisation was a genuinely memorable experience. Bravissima to Norah from CETI for organising such a fascinating field trip! I learnt a great deal about marine sustainability, but, more importantly, so did the students. It was fantastic to step outside our seminar space in Zone29 to see how the subjects we teach connect with the real world. Sharing the IMO experience with our students made the day even more special.”
The visit contributed directly to the Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development module’s focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about the Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development programme at the University of Westminster.
Learn more about the University’s commitment to sustainable development.
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