Batam Polytechnic will soon offer a new shipbuilding and design course, thanks to a tie-up between organisations in Singapore and Indonesia.
A programme to equip about 40 teachers and specialists with the know-how to develop the course was organised this year by Batam Polytechnic and Singapore's Temasek Foundation and ITE Education Services.
It is supported by Singapore's Economic Development Board and Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.
Three of the programme's participants yesterday received their certificates in the presence of President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Batam Polytechnic director Priyono Eko Sanyoto said: "In Batam, the shipyard industry is still growing so we have to prepare and meet its needs. We want to make sure our trainers have the experience and knowledge to pass on to students."
Earlier yesterday, both countries added to the collaboration by signing three agreements.
The first is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in e-government, signed by Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim and Indonesia's Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Yuddy Chrisnandi.
Both sides will work more closely in sharing experiences and knowledge in e-government and explore possible bilateral projects.
The second MOU on cooperation in youth and sports development was signed by Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong and Indonesia's Minister for Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi.
It will give athletes, the youth and agencies of both countries more opportunities to work together, said Mr Wong.
It will, for instance, pave the way for exchange visits and sharing of ideas and information on youth and sports issues. Joint training sessions could also be organised between their sports teams.
The third MOU provides for strategic economic cooperation between the Singapore Business Federation and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and was signed by SBF chairman Teo Siong Seng and Kadin chairman Suryo Bambang Sulisto.
Its aims include fostering closer ties between the countries' small and medium-sized enterprises, and allowing for the sharing of sustainable agricultural practices and exchange of information and research on the latest economic developments.
The signing was held in the presence of President Joko and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Lee noted that both countries are close partners in many areas, including the economy, defence and people-to-people ties.
"So today, I am very happy to have witnessed the signing of the MOUs... because these will add more dimensions to our ties and draw us closer together," he said.
