International business school Insead and the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) have teamed up to bring Insead's International Directors Programme to Singapore for the first time.

The three-year agreement aims to raise the standards of corporate governance in Singapore and the region.

It was signed on Tuesday by Dr Michael Pich, Insead's dean of executive education and SID chairman Willie Cheng.

Under the agreement, Insead, which has a campus in Singapore, will offer a global perspective on director education and research. SID will provide a network of experienced directors and practices across Asia.

Directors based in Asia will be able to attend the programme, which is designed to prepare board members for challenges in governance.

Dr Ludo Van der Heyden, co-director of the programme, said: "The enhancement of director effectiveness lies at the core of what we do. This new partnership offers a platform for Insead and SID to work together, and share knowledge in the area of governance - helping to bring both a global and local perspective to the challenges and solutions faced by directors today."

Mr Cheng added that the partnership comes at a time when SID is expanding its curriculum.

The programme was launched in Europe in 2011. Since then, more than 250 directors have completed it.

Participants who complete the programme can apply for the Insead Certificate in Corporate Governance, to be internationally recognised in the field of governance excellence.